Fox Sports has made a strategic entry into the sports betting market by focusing on horse racing. Their Saturday broadcasts of Saratoga horse races have attracted an average of 501,000 viewers. This viewership surpasses even the regular season viewership of the National Hockey League on TNT. The appeal of horse racing for sports bettors has likely contributed to this notable audience size, signaling Fox Sports' successful engagement with the market.

In other horse racing news, a colt named in honor of the late trainer John Attfield made a remarkable debut. Owned by Rainbow's End Racing Stable and West Paces Racing, this horse, named Attfield, was a standout at the Keeneland September Sale, fetching a final bid of $220,000. The story of Attfield adds a personal and emotional layer to the sport, as it maintains a connection to revered figures in the racing community.

Meanwhile, the reigning Champion 3-Year-Old Colt, Sierra Leone, continues to make waves. After claiming victory in the local Grade 1 Whitney, Sierra Leone is once again drawing attention as he returns to compete in the prestigious G1 Jockey Club Gold Cup at Saratoga Springs, New York. Fans eagerly anticipate whether Sierra Leone can maintain his winning form in such a competitive field.

However, not all news in horse racing is celebratory. A sobering incident involved a horse that managed to finish third despite suffering a tragic fate. This event, which occurred after the horse, Setting Sun, was asked to quicken pace during a race and suffered severe treatment-related issues, highlights the challenges and risks inherent in the sport. Such incidents bring attention to the welfare concerns in horse racing, underscoring the need for ongoing scrutiny and improvements in the treatment of these animals.

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI