Rich Strike, a 80-1 longshot, won the 154th running of the Belmont Stakes on Saturday, June 10, 2023. The victory was a stunning upset, as Rich Strike had never won a race at a distance of more than 1 1/16 miles before the Belmont.
The race was overshadowed by the deaths of three horses in the days leading up to it. Ethereal Road died on Thursday, June 8, after a workout at Belmont Park. Following the race, horses Happy Jack and Justify also died.
The deaths have reignited concerns about the safety of horse racing. In the past year, there have been 30 horse deaths at U.S. racetracks.
The New York Racing Association (NYRA) has announced that it will conduct an investigation into the deaths of the three horses at Belmont Park.
The Belmont Stakes is the third and final leg of the Triple Crown. Rich Strike's victory prevented the first Triple Crown winner since American Pharoah in 2015.
Despite the controversy surrounding the race, Rich Strike's victory was a feel-good story for horse racing fans. The horse was purchased for $30,000 as a yearling and had only won two races before the Belmont.
Rich Strike's victory is a reminder that anything is possible in horse racing. It is also a reminder that the sport needs to do more to protect its equine athletes.
Here are some of the things that can be done to improve horse racing safety:
Implement stricter safety standards for racetracks.
Conduct more research on equine injuries and fatalities.
Provide more support for trainers and jockeys.
Educate the public about the dangers of horse racing.
Horse racing is a dangerous sport, but it is also a sport that can bring great joy to people. By taking steps to improve safety, we can ensure that the sport can continue to be enjoyed by generations to come.
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