Tropical Racing celebrated their horse Time for America's victory in a race at Laurel Park on February 27. The post highlighted the horse with its tongue out, described as 'tasting victory.' The win earned $28,000 for the owner and trainer Michelle Nihei.
On February 27, Time for America, a two-year-old horse owned by Tropical Racing, secured its first career victory in a race at Laurel Park. Trainer Michelle Nihei guided the horse to the win, which was commemorated in a social media post by Tropical Racing.
The post read: “Tongue out like he’s tasting victory. Congratulations to [trainer] Michelle Nihei and the team.” Accompanying the message was an image or video showing the horse with its tongue extended, which the advocacy group Horse Racing Wrongs interpreted as a sign of distress, criticizing the lighthearted framing.
This victory netted Tropical Racing and Nihei a purse of $28,000. Horse Racing Wrongs, in an article published on March 10, 2026, highlighted the post as an example of insensitivity toward animal welfare in the sport, noting the horse's young age and inexperience in racing.
The incident underscores ongoing debates about the treatment of horses in racing, though details remain based on the single post and the advocacy perspective provided.