Earlier this week, I reported on three kills in a single day at Belmont Park. Fortunately, we were able to garner some media coverage, no small feat given the many pressing matters of the day. In the USA Today’s account, I was quoted as saying, “With each new kill, NYRA’s ‘commitment to safety and equine welfare’ is (further) revealed as the sham that it is. Without having run a single race yet in 2020, Belmont Park counts 18 dead racehorses. 18. And for nothing more than $2 bets. The time has come for all Americans of good conscience and compassion to call for an end to this carnage.” Yesterday, that sham was yet further laid bare as the carnage continued.

After a morning training session, says the Gaming Commission, 3-year-old Chouchou de Boo “was transported by ambulance to Ruffian, where after radiographs reveal [sic] several injuries, Dr. Claffey decided to euthanized [sic].” It’s downright criminal, folks.

Yorkiepoo Princess, Jan 3, Belmont S – “severe laminitis…euthanized in her stall”
Jewel Can Disco, Jan 20, Belmont T – “sustained an injury while breezing…euthanized”
A Freud of Mama, Jan 24, Belmont T (euthanized Feb 8) – “passed after complications”
yet-to-be-named, Jan 30, Belmont T – “shaft fracture…euthanized on the track”
Krugerrand, Mar 9, Belmont S – “severe laminitis” (two years old)
Starting Point, Mar 22, Belmont T – “sustained leg injury – euthanasia”
Peter’s Project, Apr 1, Belmont S – “colic, worsened throughout day…euthanasia”
Pals Invader, Apr 17, Belmont T – “sustained leg injury at the 7/8 pole”
Appealing Briefs, Apr 23, Belmont S – “euthanized due to poor prognosis of cellulitis”
O’Bushido, May 4, Belmont S – “found deceased in stall”
Call Paul, May 6, Belmont T – “sustained injury to LH leg…necessitating euthanasia”
Schiller’s Lit, May 18, Belmont T (euthanized May 21) – “acutely lame”
Lil Morning Star, May 21, Belmont T – “injury to left front leg”
Shock Therapy, May 25, Belmont S – “pleuropneumonia, laminitis”
Bluegrass Jamboree, May 28, Belmont T – “cardiovascular collapse – expired on track”
Truck Salesman, May 31, Belmont T – “leg injury while breezing, euthanized on track”
Brahe, May 31, Belmont T – “injuries to both front legs…euthanasia on track”
Abraxan, May 31, Belmont T – “leg injury necessitating euthanasia”
Chouchou de Boo, Jun 4, Belmont T – “several injures…euthanized”

Last night at Mountaineer, Equibase reports, Shared Silence “took a bad step” in the 3rd, fell, and was “vanned off.” In fact, I can confirm, the 5-year-old mare is dead. Of added note, here are the summaries for the first and second finishers:

“PULPIT’S PURRFECT stalked the pace pressing up in bid near the quarter pole, inherited a clear lead when rival fell…. DIVA BANKER tracked evenly then benefited from a spill near the three sixteenths pole chasing the winner down the lane.”

Just when you think their depravity has about bottomed out, a new depth is dug. A “spill”? Worse, “benefited” from said “spill”? A horse, who hasn’t a clue that she’s “competing,” “benefits” from another horse fatally falling. Imagine that. Then there were these (Twitter) reactions from “fans” who had watched it live:

“That was so freaking brutal at mountaineer! Yikes.”

“That was horrific…”

“That was tough to watch.”

“That was awful!”

“Saw the replay, holy shit!”

“Yeah that was ugly.”

“Horrible breakdown.”

“ughhh.”

And yet, they will come back today for more.

But the very worst, most vile came from a piece of excrement named Scott White:

“Too bad he [sic] didn’t take a few other horses out too. Needed the 4.”

America, your “Sport of Kings.”

The California Horse Racing Board has (belatedly) disclosed the death of I’ll Dash for Gold at Golden Gate May 22 – official cause, “other” (probably colic or laminitis). He was four years old and had just been raced five days prior – second-to-last, “weakened in the stretch.” He is the 13th kill at Golden Gate this year.

Recently, in advance of the resumption of racing at its tracks, the New York Racing Association issued a statement that included this: “The New York Racing Association (NYRA) today announced a number of safety initiatives…for the upcoming meet at Belmont Park. … The safety and welfare of horses…is our highest priority.”

With that in mind, consider this from Belmont yesterday:

Truck Salesman “sustained LF leg injury while breezing [a training term]” – euthanized where he lay.

Brahe “sustained injuries to both [italics added] front legs while breezing” – euthanized where he lay.

Abraxan “pulled up at 1/8 pole [with] leg injury” – euthanized back in the barn.

Without running a single race in 2020, Belmont Park, one of this nation’s most prestigious tracks, has notched 18 dead horses. 18. It ends when, and only when, you the people say, enough.

Governor Cuomo
Senator Schumer
Senator Gillibrand
NYS Senators
NYS Assemblymembers