The NYS Gaming Commission reports that 2-year-old Summer Hawk is dead after breaking down while “breezing” (training) at Belmont Park yesterday. Prior to dying, the colt had been put to the whip five times, most recently at Aqueduct in January. His trainer throughout, John Toscano; breeder, Bonnie Wooster.
Also, the California Horse Racing Board reports that 4-year-old Street Choir was euthanized on March 4th at Golden Gate for a “chronic infected left hind coffin bone/flexor tendon due to nail thru frog 1 year ago.” Street Choir had been raced five times, but nothing since December 2013. Trainer of record, Andy Mathis.
Street Choir had a nail go through his frog, which is such an important part of the horse’s foot. So this poor horse had to endure a CHRONIC INFECTION for a year before they finally put him out of his misery. One hopes that his infection was treated correctly. According to Equibase he appears to have been an entire and his last workout took place on 24 Jan 2015 (wonder how he pulled up after that). The fact that this horse appears not to have been gelded and earned an average of over $4,000 per start ($20,950 for the 5 starts) indicates that he had potential to earn more money. Was this the reason he was KEPT ALIVE?
http://www.equibase.com/profiles/Results.cfm?type=Horse&refno=8880106®istry=T
Pressed the button before adding the above link relating to Street Choir.