This episode of Small Town Big Racing in Massachusetts features Lauren Wojcik, a Hardwick Resident and Pre-vet Student at Umass Amherst who has been immersed in the horse world since the age of 5 when she first began to show them.

Lauren discusses some hard truths about racing culture and the inevitability of horse injuries and deaths. She raises concerns regarding a breeding facility in the same location as a race track and points out some key logistical questions that are not being discussed openly by Commonwealth Equine and Agricultural Center.

Most importantly, as someone from a younger generation, Lauren encourages everyone, no matter how old you are or where you are in life, to take the time to truly understand what you are voting for and what is really at stake.

If you are still on the fence and trying to decide what you will be voting for come January 7th, or you are someone who feels as though this isn't your problem, take a listen to this episode.

Related Resources and Links:

Causes of Death in Racehorses Over a 2 year Period (PubMed research article)

Mental health difficulties among professional jockeys: a narrative review (PubMed research article)

Download the COMPLETE proposal here (The Application Submitted to Mass Gaming)

The draft HCA is available here

Watch the December 19, 2022 Hardwick Board of Selectmen Meeting (Fast Forward to 48-49 minutes for the panel presentations from those for and against the proposal)

Gross Inaccuracies in the Commonwealth Racing Q&A Document