From the Los Alamitos Stewards Minutes, June 27:
“JOCKEY SANTIAGO MENDEZ IS FINED THREE HUNDRED DOLLARS FOR VIOLATION OF CALIFORNIA HORSE RACING BOARD RULE #1688 (USE OF WHIPS – WHIPPING IN POST PARADE) ON FRIDAY, JUNE 26, 2015. The foregoing ruling was issued after Jockey Santiago Mendez was cited for warming up his mount with his crop prior to the seventh race on Friday, June 26, 2015.”
“…warming up his mount with his crop.”
From the same weekly report (6/23-6/28):
“Three equine deaths were reported this week due to racing injuries.” Identities, however, withheld. This is horseracing.
This is not uncommon and in my experience the only time action is taken against the jockey is when it is so blatantly obvious and/or a complaint from a member of the public. Another example of the cruel type of people this industry employs.
Oh yes it was just 3 deaths, we don’t have to name them, they were just horses, so disposable, easily replaced, plenty more of them coming in from the breeders……
THIS IS HORSERACING.