The Belmont Stakes is being held today and most of the attention is focused on whether or not American Pharoah, the winner of both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, can become the first Triple Crown winner since 1978.

But what should be in the media spotlight is the harsh reality of horse racing and the abuses horses suffer in this sport.

Horses are started under saddle too early, sometimes at one and a half years old, which results in injury and early break-downs.

They are drugged so they can continue to run even when injured.

The sad outcome of many of these horses is their racing days are cut short and they end up discarded years before the end of their natural lives.