Been in this business a long time, from hot walker to agent to bloodstock agent to asst trainer to horseplayer to clocker. Its the nature of the game in the mornings and afternoon. When I was working for a trainer in 1995 we had a sound filly. She went out for a work and brokedown. It wasn't the track nor the amount of horses that were on the track. It was a bad step. It happens. For the longest time SA has been critical of the racing surface. They are happy now, but have yet to see the rains come. Then we will see how happy trainers are. BDJ brought up a good point between synthetic tracks and dirt tracks some time ago. It involved the motion of the horse when hitting the turn for home and that more injuries are occurring in the hind end than the front. Might want to ask him about that. Loved you piece by the way.
Steve - totally agree, being on both sides of the fence and knowing how "this" business can operate at times, it was refreshing to see the show not be afraid of showing off, the old-timer hoping for one last super horse or the betting public which at times really do spend their disability check or get a loan from a track loan shark. This put you on both sides without preaching or allowing you to make a judgment.