Snapped bones (and a spine) and pentobarbital cast pall over Friday at the races…
At celebrated Del Mar, two horses died in successive contests:
4-year-old Yes She’s Unusual went down in the 6th. In her most previous start – May 23rd at Santa Anita – the filly finished last of nine, 21 lengths back. The complicit connections: jockey Brice Blanc, trainer Steve Knapp, and owners/breeders Albert and Kathleen Mattivi. In the 7th, the DRF’s Jay Privman reports that 5-year-old Longview Drive was killed after “shattering [his] left front sesamoids.” Privman, by the way, called the action “madness” and “ugly.” And yet, he’ll be right back at it – covering his beloved “sport” – this afternoon. Longview’s complicit connections: jockey William Antongeorgi, trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, owner Steve Beneto, and breeder Winchell Thoroughbreds.
Also, at Louisiana Downs, 3-year-old Movin’ On Up “fell at the eighth pole [8th race] and was euthanized.” This was the colt’s second ever race, having finished last, 22 lengths back in a maiden-claiming run just two weeks ago. Complicit here are jockey Filemon Rodriguez and trainer/owner/breeder Jackie Thacker.
Meanwhile, two other horses – 3-year-olds Rue the Day and Elusive Cowgirl – were reported as “broke down” at Charles Town (6th) and Monmouth (6th) respectively. Since “broke down” is racing-speak for killed, we can confidently presume them dead.
And finally, 3-year-old Luis Miranda-trained Double Gold, who last raced at Belmont two weeks ago (“came under urging, weakened late”), went down at Saratoga: “fell over rail after getting loose during training – suffering paralysis both hind legs due to trauma to lumbar spine – euthanized.” This is the second death of the Saratoga meet.
How long this carnage is allowed to continue says something about us as humans as well as our society. Animal abuse is sick, and what is tolerated in the business of racing is astounding.
PS Why the change in format ?
Do you not like it, Rose?
The initial change was too confining, but maybe it was something at my end. Now, it is much better. This site is so important that it needs to be the best it can be. Thank you, Patrick for doing what you do for these horses.
broke down does not mean dead, or killed but means that the horse suffered some form of injury that ends their racing career for all intents and purposes, but still alive and breathing.
You are sadly delusional.
julie you are delusional
As a horsewoman that has had nothing by lay up and retired TB’s on my farm, yes we do have some nasty trainers out there, and iv experienced them at my farm! 9X’s out of 10 these horses remain at my Farm. They usually sold for expences! Not sent to slaughter!!! What I’m trying to get at is their really are a handful of trainers that care for their horses!! Several right here at Suffolk Downs!! They ship to me all the time for as little as a sore back! They retire horses before the breathing, legs, etc. go, and these are sound horses that are ready for retrained for different disiplines!!! As long as money is to be made suckers alike are out there to squeeze every ounce of energy out of race horses! Can we stop this? Take a look at what Most states did for the greyhounds?? Here in Ma. It is no longer!! And many states around me have done the same!! I’m embarrassed that they want to Build Suffolk Downs up into gambling, because within 10-20 yrs. that track will be a Ghost town!!
Thank you, Judy. If not for racino revenue, practically all of harness racing and a good chunk of the Thoroughbred tracks would be dead or dying by now. There is hope – if legislators finally stop subsidizing this mostly antiquated business.
RIP Yes She’s Unusual, Longview Drive, Movin’ On Up, and Double Gold. To Rue the Day and Elusive Cowgirl, I fear Patrick’s presumptions are correct.
To all of you, we value your lives. We see what you are enduring and we ARE trying.
And to the readers of HW, for the horses that are crippled and killed by this multi-billion dollar gambling industry, please continue to speak up and share this site!