Last week’s U.S. horseracing casualties.
“Broke Down” – racing-speak for dead:
Tip It On Back, Nov 19, Laurel 4
Madelynsheabadgirl, Nov 21, Charles Town 3
Infant Gold, Nov 22, Parx 9
Pb El Chiltepin, Nov 23, Turf 1
“Vanned Off” – horses who required an ambulance (in the crudest sense of the word) to leave the course; a better-than-even chance of dead:
Just Do It Please, Nov 17, Parx 7
Sweet Pea Rf, Nov 18, Zia 3
Smoke Daddy, Nov 19, Hawthorne 2
Tsamma Llama, Nov 19, Hawthorne 4
Andariego Rock, Nov 19, Zia 2
One Hot Shark, Nov 20, Golden Gate 7
Muppet Man, Nov 20, Hawthorne 9
Seek Safe Harbor, Nov 21, Del Mar 1
Silver Score, Nov 22, Del Mar 9
La Hija de Olga, Nov 22, Gulfstream W 10
Leavem in the Fog, Nov 22, Remington 2
Devilish Beast, Nov 22, Zia 7
Familiarize, Nov 23, Parx 5
Breaker Breaker, Nov 23, Zia 1
Daddy Ben, Nov 23, Zia 6
Other:
Cosinos Gray Girl, Nov 20, Evangeline 8, bled
La Wild Speed, Nov 20, Finger Lakes 5, “appeared in distress,” DNF
Hard Fast Cash, Nov 21, Aqueduct 1, “fell to his face at the break,” DNF
Goofy Governor, Nov 21, Fair Grounds 7, “stumbled badly,” DNF
Caracol, Nov 21, Finger Lakes 2, “appeared in distress,” DNF
Siena Sunshine, Nov 21, Finger Lakes 8, “appeared in distress,” DNF
Tigress Seven, Nov 22, Charles Town 3, “limped off”
Bp Dashin Policy, Nov 22, Evangeline 7, “pulled up lame”
Thrill of My Life, Nov 23, Golden Gate 4, fell, DNF
Late Start, Nov 23, Parx 6, “collapsed after wire”
Racetracks have become death traps for racehorses. If they make it out alive then the Kill Auction or Slaughterhouse is more likely than a green pasture. Death & Dying for $2 bets is antiquated, and unacceptable.
The photo of the fallen, in shock racer really bothers me. The jockey is walking off. Maybe the racer is dead? But if not, the rider’s careless shrug in walking away is despicable. I see them all as accomplishes in the egregious waste of these animals. And to consider the track populations know these drugged up animals could be “processed” as food for humans (anywhere) is breathtaking in its criminal intent. The foals are slaughtered, if not up to par, for their fine skins (to be used in fashion items called cordoba leather) and delicate meat. Again, the entire industry is complicit.
Keep reading about these lovely creatures and how little they are thought of. Should make any normal, caring person take note, no longer participate in the races in any way, and demand that justice be done, changes made to protect these animals from mistreatment, abuse, and murder (which is exactly what it is).
I totally agree…every time I see another horses name up here, a piece of my heart breaks! The exact reason I stopped going to the races!
I pray for the day that all horse racing is ended.
I also pray for the day that every trainer that drugs their horses are suspended only I think that They should be banned for life.
http://www.paulickreport.com/news/the-biz/irish-trainer-banned-three-years-for-steroid-possession/
Animal cruelty laws were fought hard for over many years. However, laws are not much good if they are not enforced. Horse racing is a prime example of non-enforcement of such laws. It seems nobody will touch this money making “industry” where animal cruelty and abuse runs rampant.
In general, people nowadays do not tolerate cruelty to animals. We have evolved and left the ignorance of our ancestors behind.
Unfortunately, the cruelty of racing and, indeed, the whole horse industry seems to be a holdover from more ignorant times when animal cruelty and abuse was more the norm. What does that say about people in the business and those who defend it ?
Totally agree. We have racehorses getting BEATEN AKA WHIPPED every day on racetracks all over North America! Imagine watching somebody taking a whip and beating a dog with it?? Animal Cruelty charges for sure. Yet, this industry gets away with it because they claim to “police themselves,” via racing commissions. This translates to a minuscule fine for Jockeys who beat the usually, tired & sore, racehorse. Jockeys quickly learn how to work the system: beat to win, get fined, come out ahead financially. The health & welfare of the horse is nowhere in the equation. Then they wonder why horses breakdown. As long as they allow doping, and whipping then breakdowns and dying will be part of the equation, but anything for that $2 bet.