Mutiny?

So the prevention of Equine Cruelty Act, H. R. 6598, the legislation that the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (as represented by president Alex Waldrop) did not endorse, has made its way through the House Judiciary Committee and onto the floor of the full House of Representatives. This is a significant victory, no doubt helped along by a powerful letter written by Josephine Abercrombie, a longtime owner and breeder and signed by many of her anti-slaughter constituents in the racing world, including Staci and Arthur Hancock and Gretchen and Roy Jackson.

The letter in part reads: "As Thoroughbred industry leaders who have long supported all Congressional actions to end this cruel industry [slaughter], we were disappointed that the NTRA voiced unfounded concerns to those who support the slaughter of horses thus jeopardizing the passage of this legislation. We and so many others in the Thoroughbred breeding and racing community strongly support all legislative initiatives including H. R. 503, S. 311, and H. R. 6598, which will bring horse slaughter to a swift end. We want you to know that the NTRA's position is not representative of the larger community."

Among other things, this wonderful statement makes very public the dissension that exists in the ranks of the thoroughbred community, a position that does not speak highly of the regard they hold for their presumed spokesperson, Mr. Waldrop. Though not presuming to speak for any of them, I think the the image of "ship without a captain" is made even more apparent by this action and demonstrates once again the need for a Commissioner of Racing who truly does speak for all factions within the sport.

No easy task, to be sure, but clearly needed so very desperately. When the "rank and file," if you will, can override the "president," it is an even more telling gesture than simply ignoring the party line. Abercrombie and her pals have overturned the party position--indication of the relative weakness of both the position and the organization that endorsed it.

What does it say about the sport of racing when the "official" position of its national organization is overruled by members of the same organization? That the ship is going down fast and the crew is hopefully starting to take control.