Posted by: Samantha, Rocky Mount, NC on February 10, 2012 at 08:22 PM

LUCK is depressing, shallow and scuzzy. Maybe a pretty series is not gritty enough to sell to special distributors, but War Horse, Seabuicuit and Secretariat managed to make popular movies, and neither a human or an animal/horse was injuried or died. Does that say anything here? I am a fan, not a fan of this series!

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Posted by: Irene, Manassas, VA on February 09, 2012 at 03:52 PM

We watched the first two episodes of Luck and quite honestly, was disappointed that it didn't show a 'better side" of Thoroughbred racing. Of course, now that I realize it is affiliated w/the folks that brought us The Sopranos, I can understand why we didn't enjoy it as much as we anticipated. I don't see any good the show does w/regard to expanding the fan base of Thoroughbred racing...the show is all about the "dark side" of racing. It may have its followers, as The Sopranos had, but it's not enjoyable for true fans of Thoroughbred racing...who are upbeat, enthusiastic, who truly love the sport and follow it faithfully. Movies like Secretariat and Seabiscuit and several others we've seen over the years are definitely good for the sport of racing....Luck, so far, is a downer...we need something more uplifting to attract new fans IMHO.

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Posted by: Defender, Alachua, FL on February 09, 2012 at 03:37 PM

First, I've been in racing since I was 13 years old and yes, horses die on the track racing, working out, in their paddocks, their stalls and pretty much any other place you can think of. But they should not die in a tv show. These animals give their lives for our entertainment and they ARE treated like royalty - by most owners and trainers. But you also have your owners and trainers who scrimp on feed and hay and when a runner doesn't make money they are immediately sent to kill lots for whatever they can get. So @Czar, don't give me the down and dirty of horse racing. Been there done that and got the t-shirt. Horse races and the such are where horses are supposed to die if it is going to happen - doing what they love to do. Not some stupid tv show where they can computer generate a breakdown. HBO won't get my participation in watching b/c they are capitalizing on the dirty side of horse racing not the side a fan wants to see and it is the fans, not the owners, trainers and jockeys that should be catered to. It should be the fans b/c they are the one's that keep the Sport of Kings going and fun.

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Posted by: Dylan, Los Angeles, CA on February 08, 2012 at 11:46 PM

Very sad, but it sounds as though these occurred during filming of racing scenes. As we all know, from experience, horses are eligible to break down any minute during a real race in front of thousands of fans. Things like this happen, its unfortunate, but it happens. I've heard of stuntmen dying during filming at times, but no ballyhoo was brought up about that. Plus this doesn't sound like a Heaven's Gate situation where animals were purposefully abused and killed. Statements saying to stop filming the show to prevent this may as well be saying get rid of the industry altogether.

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Posted by: Czar, Tampa Bay, FL on February 08, 2012 at 08:36 PM

If your reading and making comments to news stories appearing in this Thoroughbred Times Website, then I assume you are a racing fan. We are all sorry whenever any of the horses injure themselves but the reality is, it happens. For those of you who are so horrifed, your gonna have to get a lot tougher or find another interest. We professional horsemen treat these animals like royalty in comparison to many horses you drive by that stand alone out in fields everyday of the year. This is a tough business and afterall, what did you expect from the connections of The Soprano's? A bunch of candy coating?

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