On Netflix. I’m just starting the series, so can’t give an opinion yet.
To start with, Fierceness who is featured in the beginning, died from Laminitis recently.
YUP…
I’m… not thrilled with the light they’re putting on racing thus far, but I’m only on the second episode.
Again, there is such a focus on people, not the actual horses. And IMO it is to the detriment of a sport that is already under so much scrutiny.
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Agree. I’m also only on the second episode but I’m not thrilled that they’re focusing on the owners and how the owners (namely that twat Iavarone in all his tacky tracksuits) view them almost solely as investments. I also thought it was interesting that we see Bob Baffert in the episode considering how controversial he is.
I told my husband, I would like to see them talk about how these horses are athletes – the care that goes into prepping them for these massive races, etc.
Frankly, let’s be real, I just wish they’d do this show for eventing.
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The G Public care more about the the wealth of the owners than they do the horses. Hopefully enough was communicated about the lives of jockeys, horses, and breeding, to educate the public. Unfortunate but true what the G public cares about.
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So I’m now on like… episode 4, and they’re spending a chunk of time with Kenny (McPeek), and that I am enjoying. Nice to hear the coaching and how he’s reading his horses.
So far that’s the most empathy towards the horses I’ve heard thus far.
I REALLY wish they could have avoided Baffert…. They barely touched on the suspension. Hopefully the non racing regulars will take a moment to google and educate themselves.
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I thought that the Baffert issue was not blatant , but rather implied. Only people who would know, would know…
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I haven’t seen it yet, but I’m planning to watch it. The previews didn’t look promising. 
Continuing to watch. They are conveying industry knowledge that not a lot of folks are probably aware of (like what goes into jockey pay) and post position strategy for horses.
And as an aside, I never get tired of watch Thorpedo Anna run. My god she’s magnificent.
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You might be thinking of Ferocious: https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/ferocious-succumbs-to-laminitis-after-foreleg-injury/
Fierceness is alive and breezed at Palm Beach Downs on April 19.
As far as the Netflix series, in addition to what was said on this thread, I have watched the first two episodes so far and thought the editing was sloppy. I hope it gets better as it continues.
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Thank you. I was thinking of Ferocious. 
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There is also a thread going in Off Course.
I watched the first two episodes. I was definitely disappointed at how little the series has focused on the actual horses. The focus is definitely on the owners; the trainers and jockeys are peripheral. The horses barely make the screen, unless you count the actual racing footage.
I think Netflix missed the mark. There are so many cool stories in racing and the general public really responds to stories about the little guy, the underdog, the human interest angle.
Netflix seems to have gone for the “hot mess express” angle and is definitely doing horse racing no favors.
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A query for TB race horse owners/trainer/riders. I have ridden many TBs but not racing or off the track, only hunter bred. I was surprised by, and it was notable in the series, the deep red sclera that was apparent in Dornoch. What would be a cause of that? Allergies?
I’ve never seen that in any of the horses I’ve ridden or cared for, of any breed.
Watched episode 1 & will try another.
But Ugh 
focusing on the Owners.
To me they’re merely open checkbooks.
To listen to that first smarmy couple was nauseating.
The bit on the Italian jockey (with the obviously broken/rebroken clavicle)interested me & I hope they shift more focus on the trainers.
If not, I’m out.
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The 3rd episode was better. Still not great, but the series wasn’t meant for horsey people.
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DH watched 2 episodes with me last night, and he is so not into horses he generally schedules a round of golf on each of the ‘high holy days’ 
After seeing so much (so, so SO much) of the Iavaronnes, I watched Aidan O’Brien interviews on You Tube for an hour to cleanse my palate.
Jaysus, put on a shirt and don’t make me look at you in a tanning bed 
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I watched the whole series last night and once you get through the first two episodes or so it gets really interesting. Actually, I really liked the whole thing. Keep going. Like somebody else mentioned, it was great seeing a couple of Thorpedo Annie’s races, and of course there’s Seize the Grey’s Preakness. Keep going–it’s worth it.
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I watched the series. It is entertaining-- I will give it that. Whether it goes into what I would have loved to have seen in a horse racing program is another matter. But overall it is well done. The amount of money involved is a bit surprising-- as someone who only pays attention to horse racing from afar and for the Triple Crown races (and with ambivalence) it is an eye opener as to the way the whole world of horse racing works. Far removed from simple love of horses-- people are in it with other complex and varying motivations.
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I agree. Once I got past the first two episodes, it did get better. They focused more on human interest stories and smaller people. That, I think, is the heart of racing - people like Brian Hernandez, Katie Davis, Larry Demerritt, heck, even Jason Werth - instead of the Dettories, the Bafferts, the Iavarones. Who can relate to sipping champagne on a yacht or ordering caviar for dinner? Not me!
Seeing honest, everyday people and the passion they have for horses and the sport or racing would do the industry a world of good and be a much better look overall. I thought it was very poignant to hear Werth, as major leaguer and world championship winner, state that horse racing is the most underrated of all sports.
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Just started it and, to me, it was better than I thought it would be. The flashier types are what they are and want to be seen that way, like them and the fact they only buy into already successful horses or not. But it also included MR who is typical Queens loud but did not start out with great wealth, cutting classes in high school to hang out at the track. He has bred some of his best and still owns at least part of them after their track days.
So far think it is an honest look that also appeals to non horsey viewers, as it must. Will keep watching this week and wrap by Derby Day.
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