Control may be a strong word, but not to the 22 racetracks whose directors complain that they are losing it.
On the racetrack Adrian Newey, the technical director behind the Formula One world champion, Sebastian Vettel, was awarded an OBE for services to motorsport, while Nigel Mansell, the F1 world champion in 1992, received a CBE, not for any feats behind a steering wheel, but for his role as president of the charity UK Youth, which promotes non-formal learning for young people.
Fatality rates vary by racetrack, according to Rick Arthur, equine director at the University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and the California Horse Racing Board.
When Hollywood directors needed a racetrack announcer or commentator, they turned to him.
"Building a new economic development strategy solely around the racetrack is probably not doable," said Liz Povar, director of business development for the Virginia Economic Development Partnership.
Vincent Francia, general manager at Turf Paradise, a racetrack in Phoenix, said that the Times analysis of safety issues prompted him to contact the director of the Arizona Department of Racing about increasing penalties for drug violators.
As the foundation grows, its directors are looking into the overlap of racetrack and prison country in Texas, Illinois, Arkansas and California.
Petra Hartmann, director of direct testing services for the company, said clients relayed tips from racetrack workers that the frog secretion was being used, and later some seized materials turned out to be dermorphin.
Ed Halpern, the executive director of the California Thoroughbred Trainers, said some owners were shipping horses to racetracks in other states to reduce costs.
"We know the problem is massive: half the foal crop doesn't make it to the races year after year, and it becomes exponential," said Mike Ziegler, executive director of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, an organization of breeders, owners, sales companies and racetracks recently formed to accredit and raise money for facilities for retired thoroughbreds.
