Following implementation of new uniform federal standards covering horse racing, with emphasis on increased safety, the sport came under intense scrutiny in 2023 after a rash of successful horses suffered high-profile breakdowns.

Three days before the Breeders’ Cup, Practical Move passed away from a suspected cardiac event after returning from a morning gallop at Santa Anita Park. Practical Move, the Santa Anita Derby champion, had entered the Dirt Mile as the 3/1 second choice on the morning line. A day later, Haskell champ Geaux Rocket Ride was euthanized following surgery on a displaced condylar fracture at Santa Anita.

Over the summer at Saratoga, undefeated 3-year-old New York Thunder collapsed in the deep stretch in the Grade I $500,000 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial, unseating jockey Tyler Gaffalione.

The death of New York Thunder was eerily reminiscent of Maple Leaf Mel’s fatal injury weeks earlier. Owned by NFL Hall of Fame coach Bill Parcells, the 3-year-old filly collapsed mere feet from victory in the Test Stakes. Parcells admirably covered the face of trainer Melanie Giddings in the Saratoga winner’s circle to shield her from inquiries by the media. The tragic breakdown left spectators in tears, crestfallen at the scene.

Over a period of six weeks, at least a dozen horses passed away at Saratoga. HISA, for its part, increased safety interventions at Saratoga months after conducting a thorough review at Churchill Downs, another tracked plagued by a number of fatalities this year.

More needs to be done. The industry can start by more closely scrutinizing the upbringings of weanlings and yearlings before they arrive at prestigious auctions.

Match race between White Abarrio, Cody’s Wish

Over the last decade, likely Hall of Famers American Pharoah, Justify, and Flightline have captured Eclipse Award honors for U.S. Horse of the Year. 

The eventual winner in 2023 will rank a step below in prestige. Nevertheless, there could be a close vote in the match race between White Abarrio and Cody’s Wish. Both have compelling arguments, as each impressed voters with victories in the year-end Breeders’ Cup. Cody’s Wish defeated National Treasure by a whisker in the Dirt Mile, while White Abarrio trounced a soft field in the Classic.

The two thoroughbreds faced off twice, with Cody’s Wish prevailing by 3 ½ lengths in the Met Mile before White Abarrio turned the tables in the Whitney. In that race, White Abarrio put forth the most visually impressive effort of the year in a 6 ¼-length romp over the field. Despite excelling at shorter distances, the performance by Cody’s Wish in the Whitney proved that he had trouble stretching out.

Historically, the Eclipse Award has gone to the top horses in the Classic division, not sprinters. Even the likes of Ghostzapper and Forego showed versatility beyond seven furlongs. Mitole had a superlative year in 2019 when he won the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, but he still finished second in balloting to Bricks and Mortar. Based on those factors, Cody’s Wish will be second on our ballot as well.

Following is a compilation of some of the most significant horse betting coverage on US Bets throughout the year:

January-April

For Jake Panus And His Family, The Race Is Far From Over

Miami’s Vice: The Riskiest Kentucky Derby Bet Of All Time

Slow Goes It On The Illinois Racino Front At Hawthorne And Fairmount Park

The History Of Historical Horse Racing

Wilt Chamberlain Of Studs Stoked To Get Stroked

May-September

Caesars Racebook Goes Live In California Ahead Of Del Mar Summer Meet

Ouzts & Proud: 69-Year-Old Jockey Closes In On Remarkable Record

A $4M Purchase Of Curlin-Beholder Colt Steals The Show At Saratoga Sale

Author Of Acclaimed Golden Gate Fields Book Not Upset By Track’s Demise

The Future Of Sports Betting Is Horse Racing

Prospective Buyer For Arizona’s Turf Paradise Emerges At 11th Hour

October-December

No Hard Feelings As Thoroughbred Idea Foundation Gives Way To NTA

False Start: Horse Racing’s Run-Up Conundrum

Oklahoma The Only State To Adopt Category 1 Horse Racing Interference Rules

Speed Figures: Aussie Duo Strives To Simplify The Racing Form

Colorado On Brink Of Finally Offering Fixed-Odds Horse Betting

Jockeys’ Guild Announces Opposition To Key Rule Change As Major Conference Begins

Is Computer-Assisted Horse Wagering Getting Out Of Hand?

Legendary Horse Racing Journalists Wary Of Messing With Tradition

Photo: Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images