TDN Question of the Month

TDN Question of the Month

Each month, the TDN poses a thought-provoking question to a group of industry professionals on a timely topic in racing. Questions which will elicit strong and varied responses from the racing constituency. While the TDN chooses the initial group of respondents, readers are invited to send in comments and their own responses, which are published in subsequent editions of the TDN. Please send your replies to suefinley@thoroughbreddailynews.com.

TDN Question of the Month (July 2009): A major study recently proved Lasix to be effective. Does this change the way you feel about the medication, and, as it is currently only in use in the Americas, how will it affect its usage in racing countries worldwide?
TDN Question of the Month (June 2009): Fillies race against colts on a regular basis in Europe, but when it happens in the U.S., it creates some controversy. How do you feel about fillies competing against colts?
TDN Question of the Month (May 2009): What do you think is the owner's responsibility to the welfare of his or her horses?
TDN Question of the Month (April 2009): Who is your longshot Kentucky Derby pick and why?
TDN Question of the Month (March 2009): What has your experience been on Facebook? How does it help you keep in better touch with racing, or promote your racing product to customers?
TDN Question of the Month (February 2009): VLTs at the track are a major issue in several racing jurisdictions. Do you believe having VLTs at our racetracks is a good idea? What impact do you think they will have on the industry?
TDN Question of the Month (January 2009): The 2008 Eclipse Award votes have been cast, but the results won't be revealed until Jan. 26, and the Horse of the Year could go to several very worthy candidates. Who do you believe was the 2008 Horse of the Year?
TDN Question of the Month (December 2008): How will the economy affect your breeding decisions this winter and your buying decisions at the sales?
TDN Question of the Month (November 2008): What did you like and not like about this year's two-day Breeders' Cup, and what was your Breeders' Cup experience like?
TDN Question of the Month (October 2008): There has been much discussion about the best way for the Thoroughbred industry to handle the current economic downturn. What steps do you think are required to weather the storm?
TDN Question of the Month (September 2008): Should the surface factor so heavily into the decision of whether to run or not in the Breeders' Cup? Do you think that skipping the Breeders' Cup for this reason should count against a horse in the Eclipse voting?
TDN Question of the Month (August 2008): What’s on your short list of racing reforms (ex. medication and testing standards, racing surfaces, injury reporting, whip use, toe grabs, horses-in-training sales, etc.) and why?
TDN Question of the Month (July 2008): What ownership and medical history should be available for horses entered at public auction, and should corrective limb procedures be included in that history?
TDN Question of the Month (June 2008): How does the early retirement of promising stallion prospects affect the popularity of racing? What can be done about it? Should anything be done about it?
TDN Question of the Month (May 2008): What are some positive steps racing should take in the wake of the Eight Belles tragedy, both for the safety of the horses and in light of the mounting public criticism of the sport?
TDN Question of the Month (April 2008): As a buyer, how do radiographic findings affect your sales purchases? As a buyer or seller, have you had any good fortune with yearlings you bought or sold which had veterinary issues?
TDN Question of the Month (March 2008): Do you think the current method of preparing and offering two-year-olds for sale is the appropriate one for both the buying public and the horses themselves? How do breeze shows, time of year, lack of uniform medication rules, etc. affect them?
TDN Question of the Month (February 2008): Are large stallion books good for the industry? What is your prediction for 2008? Will book size continue to grow?
TDN Question of the Month (January 2008): What changes would you make to the current Eclipse Award selection system and awards ceremony? Would you add any divisions?
TDN Question of the Month (December 2007): Do you think the Breeders' Cup World Championship event days should be limited to tracks which race on an artificial surfaces?
TDN Question of the Month (November 2007): What did you think of the new two-day Breeders' Cup format, and what changes would you suggest to further strengthen the event going forward?