In politics, what Churchill Downs has done in banning Saffie Joseph is called "performative."  Churchill Downs Inc. is interested in one thing and it's not "the welfare of our equine athletes"--it's the fabulous money machine we know as The Kentucky Derby.  The vulture capitalists at CDI have priced the Derby out of the reach of ordinary horse players through a ticketing system that Jeff Bezos might have devised, and milked what little was left of Arlington Park and Calder before bulldozing both tracks for real estate developers.

I was glad they banned Bob Baffert because Baffert's record begged for censure.  I just wish it had been some other body wielding the punishment.  Churchill Downs loved Baffert until his practices came to light and might tarnish the brand.  Then they made a calculation and decided it was better for the brand to take the moral high ground at a time when Baffert was especially vulnerable.  I don't have much respect for either party.

Now Saffie Joseph is getting the treatment.  I don't know anything about Saffie Joseph other than that he has the courage to be seen in ugly shirts and a hideous hair-do.  He may or may not be drugging unsound horses to get them to the starting gate, I don't know.  And that's one reason why I'm growing weary defending the sport I love to people who don't.  Because I don't think Saffie Joseph is doing anything that isn't being done by every other trainer who's bringing a horse to the saddling stall today.
Civres
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