Horse Racing Reforms

Kudos, props and fist bumps in the house for the California Horse Racing Board, which has unanimously approved a statewide ban on using steroids in horses. That's what I'm talkin' about. That's how you make it more humane and safer for the athletes. And that should be a top priority if it isn't.

I figure, thoroughbreds are the only athletes in the world that are using steroids without their own consent. The obvious problem is that none of them speak English and therefore they can't object to being injected with performance enhancers.

We all know that athletes don't physically require steroids, but it's all about getting an edge so the people that ride, own, train and care for the horses can make more money.

So, in a time where there's not a unified vision for the safer treatment of the athletes that represent the fiscal livelihood of a beautiful sport, I just want to say thanks to California for leading the way on an obvious choice to finally do the right thing.

Besides, is Big Brown gonna care if he loses half a second going six furlongs because he's not roided up anymore? No. Are horse fans going to become increasingly concerned that their favorite thoroughbreds will gain too much body fat if they get off the juice? Probably not. Are the owners, trainers and jockeys going to miss anything if their horses go clean? Not if all of their competitors are required (thank you CA Racing Board) to do the same thing.

And finally, will the horse racing gamblers of the world be emotionally scarred if steroids are banned in horse racing? The reason the answer is 'no' is because the only thing the gamblers want is to hold the winning tickets.

Trust me on this, I'm one of them.