In the 1st Thursday at Aqueduct, 2-year-old Zenstone finished 2nd – and then was “vanned off.” Turns out, the filly had broken a leg and was subsequently (the next day) euthanized. Dead at the equivalent age of a grade-schooler.
In all, Zenstone was put to the whip five times. In her last two, she was a “struck the rail” DNF and a dead-last 27+ lengths back. The connections (who earned a nice $8,000 on Zenstone’s final act): Gregory DiPrima, Michael Imperio. Zenstone is the third dead horse at Aqueduct this week and 24th since Halloween (list below).
Also from NY, Standardbred Make a Friend died in the 8th last night at Buffalo Raceway – cause undisclosed. Jack Flanigen drove, Judith Blaun trained.
The Aqueduct 24:
5-year-old Summer Sunset, Oct 31, race 2 (fractured leg)
4-year-old Jesses Giant Dunk, Oct 31, race 3 (ruptured ligament)
4-year-old Knockher Off, Nov 12, race 5 (neck trauma)
9-year-old Cherokee Artist, Nov 28, race 6 (fractured leg)
4-year-old Princes On Thelake, Dec 3, race 5 (fractured cannon)
3-year-old Warrior’s Hero, Dec 4, race 3 (fractured carpus)
5-year-old Half Nelson, Dec 5, race 8 (fractured shoulder)
7-year-old Quick Money, Dec 5, race 8 (neck trauma)
5-year-old Sage Valley, Dec 10, race 8 (apparent cardiac arrest)
5-year-old Ludo Bagman, Dec 11, race 1 (fractured sesamoids)
4-year-old Celebrate We Will, Dec 26, race 1 (fractured leg)
5-year-old Wicked Irish, Dec 27, race 2 (undisclosed leg trauma)
2-year-old Golden Bay, Jan 2, race 6 (fractured leg)
5-year-old Shewreckstheplace, Jan 4, race 5 (fractured sesamoids)
2-year-old Channel of Love, Jan 9, training (fractured leg)
4-year-old Apex, Jan 9, race 2 (fractured leg or ankle)
9-year-old Italian Rules, Jan 9, race 2 (torn suspensory)
4-year-old You Take the Cake, Jan 15, race 2 (fractured neck)
3-year-old Senso, Jan 18, training (fractured pelvis)
3-year-old Miss Macarena, Jan 22, race 1 (fractured leg)
3-year-old Risk the Moon, Mar 12, race 5 (fractured leg)
4-year-old Subtle Humor, Apr 12, race 3 (fractured leg)
2-year-old Con Sneaky, Apr 12, race 4 (fractured tibia)
2-year-old Zenstone, Apr 16, race 1 (fractured leg)
This is as bad as any horse slaughterhouse…it has to stop. We have to stop it..These are babies…
they are not full grown to age 6.you cant race 2 yr olds in europe, why not here
Outrageous !!!
I emailed the NY Gaming Commission concerning this carnage.
Also, under Equine Health and Safety the only rules were those pertaining to drug administration and testing. There was no rule directly concerned with protecting the horse from the many other abuses meted out.
Under the heading, Equine Health and Safety, the following statement appears: ” New York’s equine drug rules and protective measures are among the strictest and most comprehensive in the nation”…..protective measures…really !
It’s all heartbreaking to me and disgusting. There is one fracture that stands out to me, that being a fractured shoulder. Is this fracture more likely to happen running or from falling? I assume the neck trauma, such as a broken neck is from falling into a somersault, is that how a shoulder fracture would also happen?
Carolyn, I believe the shoulder fractures are almost always (possibly, always) due to blunt force trauma…and that would be caused by running into something or a fall.
Thanks Joy. I have seen it listed allot and wondered how it would happen. Horses are huge, I guess just from size and weight a powerful blow could take out the shoulder. These poor horses deserve a better life than that.
It is bad enough that Zenstone broke his leg at this killer track, but to wait until the next day to euthanize him is cruel beyond belief. The pain this poor baby suffered I’m sure was horrific. It is such a crime what they are doing to these beautiful creatures day after day. It is unforgivable. I too, am writing another letter to the NY Gaming Commission and Govenor Cuomo and voicing my outrage. He needs to get to work and start cleaning house at the New York Tracks. Marlene Thornley
I agree, Marlene. Unfortunately, this was something I saw regularly at the track. In addition, a good number of the owners/trainers donated them to us (and received a tax write-off) and then the rescue had to euthanize them!
Joy,
These owners and trainers are despicable to say the least. They don’t have a shed of feeling for the horses under their care. These horses run their hearts out for them, and many give up their lives, and they can’t even do right by the horse to end its suffering. What would it cost a couple of hundred dollars to euthanize a horse, and instead, they donated them to you, so that you had to foot the bill and do right by the horse. It is unbelievable how shallow, and low these people are.
Joy, thank God for you, the only bright light and kind hand these horses have probably even seen. I don’t know where you get the patience to deal with these (poor excuses for human beings) owners and trainers. I think if I were face to face with them, and saw what you have seen, my anger would get the best of me.
In this day and age, it is hard to believe that the thoroughbred doesn’t have an iota of protection for his/her well being. No one is looking out for the horses, the owners and trainers are consumed by the money. Breed, dump, and kill is their motto.
I have faith that in the next 5 years legislation will be passed to protect the well being of the throughbred. Yes, we have a long way to go, but I believe that change will come. Marlene Thornley