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.…

The NYS Gaming Commission says 5-year-old Renaldo N was killed in the 7th race at Yonkers Monday. The dead horse’s exploiters: Shane Tritton, Lauren Tritton. In the weekly harness rulings, this for driver Justin Vincent at Shenandoah Downs May 2: “Driver Justin Vincent was found to have a blood-alcohol concentration exceeding the limit permitted under…