Yesterday, a 5-year-old stallion named Parcel, who last raced in March 2012, fractured a leg while “breezing” at Aqueduct. He was killed. Also on Sunday, at Zia Park in New Mexico, a pair of 2-year-olds making their debuts were vanned off in consecutive races. To remind, Cafe Bonita and JC Storm are but children. And finally, in Saturday’s 2nd race at Delta Downs, 4-year-old Offshore Banker “was pulled up in mid stretch while bleeding and was vanned off,” making it two consecutive starts (Evangeline, 8/17) the gelding could not finish due to bleeding.
Parcel: co-breeder – Claiborne Farm – and also his co-owner for his first 3 races. At some point after his 3rd race, Parcel was not the racehorse Claiborne Farm cared to continue owning, so he was sold/transferred to another owner and trainer. Three more races, and Parcel still could not win. So after only his 6th start, in March of 2012, he never raced again. Ever the “business” that this gambling industry is, Parcel needed to earn his keep. He couldn’t, now he’s dead.
The horses are the disposable commodity of the “business”. The whole enterprise reeks of cheating, greed, and ego gratification at the expense of defenseless horses. Nice business, right !
In any other sport this would be considered total carnage! Revolting….