The article by Noah Shachtman in The New York Times questions why billions of dollars are being spent to keep the horse racing industry alive, especially when it relies heavily on government subsidies. States like Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Kentucky use significant amounts of money to support their horse racing industries, with Maryland investing in upgrading tracks and Pennsylvania sinking billions into racehorse development funds.

One key distinction between horse racing and other sports is the high rate of athlete deaths in horse racing. The advocacy organization Horseracing Wrongs has reported that 11,000 horses have been put to death at American racetracks since 2014. Despite attempts at reform, the sport continues to face criticism for its treatment of athletes and workers.

The article suggests that the best solution may be to stop subsidizing the horse racing industry and let it stand on its own. The reliance on government funding and casino money has skewed the sport’s priorities and led to a situation where racing tracks are used as a pretext for other businesses. The author calls for a reevaluation of whether the public wants to continue supporting an industry that relies so heavily on subsidies.