By Be a good sport

May 15, 2008 8:10 AM | Link to this

Horse racing and greyhound racing are about the same. I don’t support either.

Of course, shooting Bambi when she stumbles upon you - pearched in your baited tree stand - isn’t much of a sport either, but at least you eat her!

By zeke

May 15, 2008 8:43 AM | Link to this

WHAT AN IDIOT!!!!

By what a wimp

May 15, 2008 8:51 AM | Link to this

I care nothing for this sport but will now be watching just because of protestors like you.

By TedNugentFan

May 15, 2008 8:56 AM | Link to this

hey sport, I guess you approve of breeding cows so they can be mass slaughtered by shooting a metal bolt through their heads while being held in a cage so your liberal a* can drive to the grocery store and buy your meat. Lemme guess, you are a vegetarian!!!! Well all the farmers around my neck of the woods call me to kill bambi so bambi doesnt eat your vegetables out of his pastures.

By EB

May 15, 2008 9:03 AM | Link to this

Deer hunting is not a sport to the hunters who are feeding their family. Maybe that is a good idea on waiting until the horses are 4 instead of 2 or 3 yrs old to race them. Whatever the changes they make to the sport, I dont see racing going away just because PETA wants it too.

By WGD

May 15, 2008 9:28 AM | Link to this

You don’t wish to watch, then don’t… And why do we care what you watch?

By gadawg

May 15, 2008 9:42 AM | Link to this

Of all the stupid things you could opine about, you had to say something useless about this useless topic. What’s the matter Mike, nobody buying into your visions for socialized medicine?

By Marsha

May 15, 2008 10:30 AM | Link to this

I agree with Mike. Horses should not be exploited with disregard to their wellbeing and their lives, for anyone’s entertainment, financial gain, nor status. It’s simply wrong. Often when these horses have outlived their ability to race, they are sold to slaughterhouses. Great way to end a horse’s life, who has done nothing but try and satisfy their owners.

There are those that say Horse Racing is here to stay, but there were also those who said that ‘smoking’ was here to stay as well. We all see how smoking was slowly phased out of acceptance, and the horse racing industry will be a vicitim of the same phasing out, as it should be.

Proud of you Mike, for standing up for a good cause and for what you believe in.

By josh

May 15, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this

Just as an fyi… Those horses are treated better than their owners, jockeys, and trainers.. anyone who has ever been in the Horse Industry will tell you the Horses are treated like Kings, they are given the best treatment of any domesticated animal in the world.. And I’m not talking about farm horses who’s owners neglect, & starve, their farm animals… People must realize that stuff happens, just like a kid falling from a tree and breaking a bone.. these incidents however sad they are? Are just accidents… On another note.. The Jockeys sacrifice more than any horse out there.. they never eat, when they do they flip there food,(throw it back up) there is even a special toilet just for throwing up in the Jockey’s room.. So if you don’t have all the info, or have never been to the stalls @ Keeneland, or visit Three Chimneys Farm in Kentucky.. Shut up you are only showing me how ignorant you can be by speaking about what you do not know….

By justduckie

May 15, 2008 10:55 AM | Link to this

It’s completely legit to want to reform the sport so that the horses are more developed and mature before raced. It’s a nice compromise and shouldn’t be pounced on by those who truly love the animals and the sport. How the heck did people segue to hunting from this??

By Zaporah

May 15, 2008 11:00 AM | Link to this

Mike - I am proud of your stepping forth with your argument. Some will disagree with you and some will mock you, but I am proud of your comments. I only wish more people would voice their doubts and concerns.

Horse fighting will not be eliminated because of the money involved. Horses ae often abused but no one seems to care.

As far as Vick is concerned, I believe he is being punished unjustly for what occurred. The unjust punishment of Vick will not and has not eliminated dogfighting. It has merely driven it underground. Animal abuse is wrong but it is just as abusive to “tar and feather” another human being and then stand and mock”.

Continue to voice your concerns and then expect to be mocked.

By Zaporah

May 15, 2008 11:01 AM | Link to this

Mike - I am proud of your stepping forth with your argument. Some will disagree with you and some will mock you, but I am proud of your comments. I only wish more people would voice their doubts and concerns.

Horse fighting will not be eliminated because of the money involved. Horses ae often abused but no one seems to care.

As far as Vick is concerned, I believe he is being punished unjustly for what occurred. The unjust punishment of Vick will not and has not eliminated dogfighting. It has merely driven it underground. Animal abuse is wrong but it is just as abusive to “tar and feather” another human being and then stand and mock”.

Continue to voice your concerns and then expect to be mocked.

By Texan

May 15, 2008 12:02 PM | Link to this

Are you serious? Mike and anyone else who wants to join him will not change anything. People will go to and/or watch the race, while Mike eats his Tofu and drinks his Soy milk. Talking with Marsha about what shade of blue the sky is ……………………………..Big Brown= Triple Crown

By Najeh Davenpoop

May 15, 2008 12:20 PM | Link to this

PETA may be a bunch of morons, but at least they are not a bunch of hypocrites. At least their radical, extremist, ridiculous position applies to all animals, instead of randomly picking and choosing which animal to protect under federal law and which animal to indiscriminately kill.

Something tells me whoever is responsible for the horse dying is not gonna get 23 months in federal prison.

By PreaknessBound

May 15, 2008 12:43 PM | Link to this

First of all, I will be going to the Black-eyed Susan tomorrow and the Preakness on Saturday, and I can’t wait to make money off of those beautiful animals. For all of you idiotic heart bleeding liberals, grow up and get a brain. Those horses get treated better than you ever will.

By PreaknessBound

May 15, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this

First of all, I will be going to the Black-eyed Susan tomorrow and the Preakness on Saturday, and I can’t wait to make money off of those beautiful animals. For all of you idiotic heart bleeding liberals, grow up and get a brain. Those horses get treated better than you ever will.

By PreaknessBound

May 15, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this

First of all, I will be going to the Black-eyed Susan tomorrow and the Preakness on Saturday, and I can’t wait to make money off of those beautiful animals. For all of you idiotic heart bleeding liberals, grow up and get a brain. Those horses get treated better than you ever will.

By PreaknessBound

May 15, 2008 2:01 PM | Link to this

P.S. No one cares weather or not Mike King (someone whom I have never heard of) watches the Preakness. Trust me, him not watching is not going to hurt the ratings.

By Lewis

May 15, 2008 2:44 PM | Link to this

Won’t it be great when the AJC actually hires a sports writer with a male identity? Let’s face it, Ms. King probably wants to stay in Atlanta to see the premier of the new “Sex in the City” movie. Where does the AJC find people like this? Yet, the AJC wonders why readership is dropping off…is there anybody there who is relevant anymore?

By Jason

May 15, 2008 3:29 PM | Link to this

At 5-to-1 odds, my money’s on Sarah Jessica Parker. What a magnificent animal!

By Boycott the Preakness.com

May 15, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this

Hey preakness bound, you only have to hit the post button one time, and then wait, for your comments to appear……first day on the computer?

By Eric

May 15, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this

Najeh Davenpoop…..I beg to differ with your assesment of PETA not being baised. Last year they rallied at the court house in Richmond for an old fashion lynching of Mike Vick, but you couldn’t find one of them when the white dude from Dacula was hunting down kittens and cats for his pit bull to kill

Sept 2007 “Police say Dacula man fed cats, kittens to his pit bull dogs”

Therefore; PETA is a big political JOKE!

By Mike Vick is SICK

May 15, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this

Hey Eric, I belive those charges were dropped…..

By RenaP

May 15, 2008 4:41 PM | Link to this

hey josh - how many Kings have to be euthanized by the time they are 3 years old. You need to reword your idnorant comment and say - those horses are treated like kings for 3 years of their lives before they are killed.

By AreYouKidding?

May 15, 2008 6:19 PM | Link to this

This has to be the most utterly useless blog EVER posted. Has the AJC really sunk this low? You have become the most irrelevant major city newspaper in history. I might as well be reading People Magazine. I’ve always said that the people of this country deserves the government we have. I guess that is also true for newpapers, based on some of the blogs here. I’m ashamed of myself for even reading this blog.

By Dumbing Down

May 15, 2008 7:21 PM | Link to this

This world is FULL of idiots. Go ahead, boycott the Preakness and fail to watch history being made with a possible Triple Crown Winner! Where was the outcry when the boxer from Georgia was killed in the ring several months ago? Again, this world is full of idiots. Speaking of idiots, how can I maximize my Superfecta bet with the favorite going off at 1:6? These are beautiful animals put here by god for a reason… to run fast. I see NASCAR keeps running and gunning after the “Eliminator” got “terminated.” Give me a break!

Go Big Brown… not UPS, dummy… the horse!

By Sam

May 15, 2008 7:51 PM | Link to this

As an active 30+ year “horse person”….racing a 3 year old is way too young. Legs aren’t formed and most of these horses are “retired” at 6 and sadly it isn’t to green rolling pastures…sad. I don’t boycott racing at all I just wish they would raise the racing age.

By Dumbing Down???

May 15, 2008 8:02 PM | Link to this

Dumbing Down, you’re already there. The difference is a boxer CHOOSES to do it a horse doesn’t. And don’t give me that BS about horses loving to run free, and I guess getting whipped, too….You know kid hate homework and going to bed early, but…..

By Sniff

May 15, 2008 8:52 PM | Link to this

I grew up near Baltimore and went to the Preakness at least a dozen times. In fact, I changed my original wedding date because it fell on Preakness Saturday.

I lost my heart for the sport after the philly Ruffian died in her face-off against Foolish Pleasure. That was 1975? 76? (Am I really that old??)

Thanks for this column, Mike.

By Cody

May 15, 2008 10:00 PM | Link to this

As a horse owner and lover, the event at the Kentucky Derby was so sad. I agree the age of participating horses should be raised since their bodies are still growing and maturing at 2-3 years of age.

Unfortuately….horses….and many other animals are used and exploited for human entertainment. I used to work at a stable part-time. I felt so bad for those trail horses working 5-6 hour days….7 days a week during the summer and fall season. People that DON’T KNOW how to ride (in a sense….to me) are more abusive than the experienced jockey TRAINED to RIDE. Think about it….some fat-a* jamming their heels into your sides, jerking the reins and the bit in your mouth, and sitting all over the saddle which makes it incredibly difficult for the horse to walk, balance, and carry YOU!

My next soapbox would be the circus….if you really want to get into animal exploitation….but I won’t.

Horse racing will always be around….tradition….or abuse….it’s a matter of perspective.

Don’t forget which horse is the fastest….the beloved Quarter Horse (which is my companion)…and don’t tell me a little whip wasn’t used to make that “quarter mile” in a flash!

By Sam

May 15, 2008 10:13 PM | Link to this

The idea that 3 year-olds are not developed enough for the Triple Crown races is an idea that has been percolating for a while.

There are a few big, old money stables (Steinbrenner, vanderBilts, sheik of Dubai) who can go a year without income, but there are a lot of under-funded hangers-on who can’t. It’s going to take real public pressure. Boxers need state licenses to fight, what about horses to race?

My only hope for The Derby was that no horse would break down. It didn’t happen. I probably won’t watch on Saturday…

By ME

May 15, 2008 10:56 PM | Link to this

Like many things (wrestling, football, basketball, olymics … horse racing has become exploited. In the continuing effort to get faster, better horses look what is happening. Enough is enough! Not just in horse racing but all competitions!!!!!

By Dumbing Down

May 16, 2008 6:50 AM | Link to this

I’m going to put my head in the sand and boycott! Yeah, that’s the answer. I wonder how many people will be in the unemployment lines because a horse broke down? Let’s see… the veteranarians, feed companies, groomers, trainers, track maintanance, ticket tellers, jockeys, track food companies, OTB sites, television analysts, security personnel, valets (car and jockeys), tack room equipment sales personnel… etc… And let’s not forget their CHILDREN who will be affected as well. Let’s boycott an industry that also brings in over a billion dollars in taxes for state and local govenment, just on the wagering! Go PETA!

By P

May 16, 2008 7:46 AM | Link to this

Good gracious people are whiney. Horse racing is hardly brutality…find something else to complain about….I know you will. Without the horse racing industry, these animals would not exist period as there would be no reason to pay exorbitant amounts to raise them. Whine whine whine.