Ahead of today’s Preakness Stakes, the 27 (disclosed) kills at Maryland tracks last year: Trophy Boy, Jan 14, Laurel S “Showed signs of illness Dec 26. Condition deteriorated and connections could not financially afford to send the colt to a clinic for more advanced care. Euthanized due to severe necrotizing pneumonia, pleuritis, pericarditis, and effusion…

In the first of the two biggest days on the Maryland racing calendar, a kill. In race 1 at Laurel today – “Black-Eyed Susan Day” – Hit Zero, says the Thoroughbred Daily News, “succumbed to an apparent cardiac event following the conclusion.” The “apparent cardiac event,” mind you, befell a three-year-old. To add salt to…

For anyone with even a modicum of compassion, cockfighting is abhorrent (if unfamiliar, here’s an overview). In fact, animal fighting of any kind is so generally reviled it is banned both federally and in every U.S. state and, importantly, in all U.S. territories. Despite this, and like all criminalized activities, the fighting continues, both with…

I have been able to confirm (Indiana Commission) the following kills at Horseshoe: Mister Kelly, Apr 8: “Incurred a catastrophic injury – bilateral sesamoid fractures – near the 5/16 pole, was vanned off and humanely euthanized in the barn area.” Mister Kelly had just turned nine, and this was his 47th time under the whip.…