5-year-old Happy My Way, a stakes winner at Pimlico on Preakness Day 2014, is dead. From the Daily Racing Form:
Happy My Way, the champion Florida-bred sprinter, has been euthanized after being injured in the West Virginia Legislature Chairman’s Cup at Mountaineer Park on Saturday. Happy My Way finished fifth in the 4 1/2-furlong sprint. Trainer Joe Orseno said he came out of the race with a knee fracture. Happy My Way was sent to Hogan Equine in New Jersey to have surgery, but the injury could not be repaired. “We were going to do whatever it took to save him,” Orseno said. “He was such a terrific horse. I’ve been crying for two days over this.”
My take:
One, this horse was sent for surgery – “whatever it took to save him” – because he was still earning (his last race had a $100,000 purse) – a valuable asset; had he been a cheap claimer – Mountaineer’s typical entrants – he would have been killed back in the barn. Two, if tears were shed (“two days” – really?) by Mr. Orseno, it’s because he won with him, and big ($90,000 for that 2014 race). Funny how the deep emotional bonds seem to be reserved for the “winners” and “champions.” As for the DRF, simple question: Where are the obituaries for these?
Killed In Action, 2015:
2-year-old Golden Bay, January 2, Aqueduct 6
3-year-old Generous George, January 2, Golden Gate 7
5-year-old Devil’s Issue, January 2, Los Alamitos 2
4-year-old Sharp Harbour, January 2, Tampa Bay 4
3-year-old Humble Hero, January 3, Gulfstream, training
5-year-old Shewreckstheplace, January 4, Aqueduct 5
2-year-old Stuffed Animal, January 4, Santa Anita 4
2-year-old Sparkling Form, January 5, Hialeah 5
11-year-old Tejano Trouble, January 6, Turf 4
2-year-old Discreet Romance, January 7, Calder, training
2-year-old Good Problem, January 7, Delta 6
9-year-old Reminic, January 7, Monticello 4
TSM Lil Orphan Andy, January 7, Pompano 9
5-year-old Warren’s Assassin, January 8, Santa Anita 3
2-year-old Channel of Love, January 9, Aqueduct, training
4-year-old Apex, January 9, Aqueduct 2
9-year-old Italian Rules, January 9, Aqueduct 2
4-year-old Ear D’Rhythm, January 9, Laurel 7
5-year-old Big Swig, January 10, Golden Gate, training
4-year-old For All the Kathys, January 11, Parx 6
3-year-old Bob and Louie, January 11, Tampa Bay, training
7-year-old Boy’s Brother Bob, January 13, Mahoning 7
3-year-old Volage, January 13, Turf 6
4-year-old Pinpoint Pal, January 14, Tampa Bay 1
4-year-old You Take the Cake, January 15, Aqueduct 2
3-year-old One Step Higher, January 15, Delta 3
4-year-old One More Chief, January 16, Belmont, training
11-year-old St Lads Kingpin, January 16, Cal Expo 2
3-year-old Under Study Career, January 16, Golden Gate, training
5-year-old Top Partner, January 16, Tampa Bay, training
3-year-old Mt Everest, January 17, Calder, training
2-year-old Bah Zinga, January 17, Hialeah 8
5-year-old She Be Bunny, January 17, Penn 3
3-year-old Senso, January 18, Aqueduct, training
5-year-old Highly Rated, January 18, Golden Gate 7
4-year-old Ratso Rizzo, January 18, Gulfstream 5 (euthanized January 19)
2-year-old Go See Too, January 18, Sunland 7
3-year-old Brooks Gift, January 18, Tampa Bay 8
3-year-old Hidden Angel, January 20, Turf 3
2-year-old Warrior Forever, January 21, Charles Town 4
3-year-old My Uncle Frank, January 21, Tampa Bay 4
3-year-old Miss Macarena, January 22, Aqueduct 1
3-year-old Trail’satwosteppin, January 23, Charles Town 7
4-year-old Flying Jessica, January 23, Hialeah 5
4-year-old Paramounts Fortune, January 24, Sunland 4
2-year-old American Sun, January 25, Santa Anita 6
2-year-old Tornado City, January 26, Belmont, training
3-year-old Time for a J, January 27, Turf 2
2-year-old St Peter of Rome, January 31, Gulfstream, training
3-year-old Sergush, February 1, Fair Grounds 2
3-year-old Lazy Lightnin, February 1, Golden Gate, training
4-year-old Pacific Coast, February 1, Sunland 7
3-year-old Force Nine, February 1, Tampa Bay, training
2-year-old Peaceful Quiet, February 4, Golden Gate, training
2-year-old Leroy Rose, February 5, Gulfstream, training
4-year-old La Ranchera, February 6, Tampa Bay 6
3-year-old Carol Ann, February 6, Tampa Bay 6
5-year-old Badman of the Brazos, February 7, Sunland 4
3-year-old Wildly Quiet, February 8, Sunland 10
4-year-old Silic Oui, February 8, Tampa Bay, training
5-year-old Strike It Cody, February 9, Louisiana 7
4-year-old Trust in Tebow, February 9, Parx 4
4-year-old Astral, February 10, Parx 9
3-year-old Zen Zai Sun, February 10, Turf 4
7-year-old Cowtown Star, February 10, Turf 4
5-year-old Belonging, February 12, Santa Anita 1
3-year-old Wild Moon, February 13, Tampa Bay 10 (euthanized February 14)
4-year-old I Jus Wana Hav Fun, February 14, Fair Grounds 1
4-year-old Wonderfella, February 14, Laurel 4
3-year-old Cosmic Gold, February 14, Laurel 7
6-year-old Praise a Native, February 14, Rillito 5
4-year-old Way to Go Gerda, February 14, Sunland 9
2-year-old Lord of Fire, February 15, Hialeah 7
2-year-old Lookatu, February 15, Tampa Bay, training
7-year-old Rule Breaker, February 16, Golden Gate, training
5-year-old Ms P K Blue, February 16, Turf 2
3-year-old Sprague River, February 21, Santa Anita 4
4-year-old Doubly Smart, February 22, Parx 3
3-year-old Exquisite Monarch, February 22, Tampa Bay, training
3-year-old Dylbug, February 22, Turf 5
4-year-old Aerial Dancer, February 23, Turf 4
3-year-old Seeking Sallie, February 25, Tampa Bay, training
3-year-old Inspeightofthings, February 27, Gulfstream W, training
3-year-old Macho Mia, February 28, Louisiana 5
7-year-old Bracket Buster, March 1, Parx 1
4-year-old Stormy Dan, March 1, Parx 2
4-year-old Hecky Dorn, March 2, Mahoning 8
5-year-old Zenaro, March 6, Oaklawn 2
She’s a Cowgirl, March 6, Saratoga Raceway
3-year-old Caton’s Cruise, March 7, Gulfstream, training
3-year-old Mm Paul Revere, March 7, Louisiana 7
5-year-old Mr Weaver, March 7, Mountaineer 9
3-year-old Texas Rapper, March 7, Sunland 8
5-year-old Happy Harvey, March 8, Gulfstream 2
2-year-old Lovin It, March 11, Charles Town 3
3-year-old Fuzz, March 11, Charles Town 3
3-year-old Risk the Moon, March 12, Aqueduct 5
3-year-old Leo the Lion Tamer, March 12, Delta 1
6-year-old Rollthediceagain, March 13, Tampa Bay 9
3-year-old Lookin At Daisy, March 14, Fair Grounds 4
3-year-old Sheezflippinsexy, March 14, Fair Grounds 11
2-year-old No One Is Like Me, March 14, Gulfstream 2
3-year-old Polish Justice, March 14, Sunland 10
8-year-old Varsity, March 14, Tampa Bay 4
2-year-old Libertyville, March 15, Tampa Bay, training
4-year-old Golden Friendships, March 17, Gulfstream 3
3-year-old Irish Media, March 18, Gulfstream 8
5-year-old Elena’s Dreamboy, March 18, Mountaineer 9
2-year-old Summer Hawk, March 19, Belmont, training
8-year-old Riding the River, March 19, Gulfstream 7
2-year-old Jake, March 20, Gulfstream, training
8-year-old El Commodore, March 20, Santa Anita 4
5-year-old Wild Kiss, March 21, Tampa Bay 6
3-year-old Iron Media, March 21, Tampa Bay 6
4-year-old Macho Mio, March 22, Laurel 4
2-year-old Letshaveacocktail, March 23, Gulfstream W, training
5-year-old Soft Shoulders, March 25, Turf 1
3-year-old I Forget, March 26, Penn 7
4-year-old Developer, March 26, Tampa Bay, training
3-year-old Cheers for Sidney, March 27, Gulfstream 5
5-year-old Carson City Brew, March 29, Gulfstream, training
3-year-old Undercover Kitten, March 29, Gulfstream 12
4-year-old Only Josie Knows, March 29, Santa Anita 7
4-year-old Criminal Element, March 29, Sunland 7
4-year-old Starstruck Slew, April 1, Tampa Bay 6
2-year-old I’ll Be Dom, April 3, Sunland 7
5-year-old Ellies Tattle Tale, April 4, Pimlico 1
4-year-old Conquest Two Step, April 4, Santa Anita, training (euthanized April 6)
4-year-old Mr. Giovanna, April 6, Parx 1
1-year-old Off Looks Alone, April 9, Golden Gate, training
On The Brink, April 9, Yonkers 1
Fashion Shark, April 9, Yonkers 3
3-year-old My Sweet Ellierose, April 10, Pimlico 5
2-year-old Cowboy Con, April 11, Oaklawn 3
4-year-old Weekendwithbernie, April 11, Santa Anita 3
4-year-old Subtle Humor, April 12, Aqueduct 3
2-year-old Con Sneaky, April 12, Aqueduct 4
5-year-old Daybreak Dreamer, April 13, Will Rogers 9
4-year-old Wise Remark, April 14, Parx 6
2-year-old Zenstone, April 16, Aqueduct 1
5-year-old Diamond Flush, April 16, Golden Gate 1
Make a Friend, April 17, Buffalo 8
8-year-old Down Town Allen, April 18, Charles Town 5
4-year-old Diversy Harbor, April 18, Santa Anita 7
2-year-old Uninfluenced, April 19, Belmont, training
5-year-old Dirty Diamond Jim, April 20, Turf 3
4-year-old Elda, April 23, Penn 2
3-year-old Tiz B the One, April 23, Pimlico 1
3-year-old Eddie’sinthewoods, April 24, Penn 1
2-year-old Muniz, April 24, Pimlico 3
3-year-old Sab Vision, April 24, Prairie 3
3-year-old To the River, April 24, Tampa Bay 8
4-year-old American Hero, April 25, Belmont, training
4-year-old Lia’s Miracle, April 25, Mahoning 9
5-year-old Lunar Tales, April 26, Belmont, training
5-year-old Spider Bride, April 29, Finger Lakes, training
9-year-old Project Mayhem, May 1, Charles Town 8
6-year-old Sweet Silica, May 1, Golden Gate 8
3-year-old Delightful Molly, May 1, Los Alamitos 4
3-year-old You Gotta Believe, May 1, Saratoga, training
2-year-old Maratik, May 2, Mountaineer 6
8-year-old Prince Ludovic, May 3, Winterthur 1
3-year-old Prayer Cloth, May 5, Laurel, training
2-year-old Jay Bird, May 5, Saratoga, training
4-year-old Otoy, May 8, Aqueduct, training
4-year-old Afleet’s Hot Copy, May 10, Prairie 7
4-year-old Red October, May 13, Thistledown 1
6-year-old Caviar N Champagne, May 15, Thistledown, training
5-year-old Good Tickled, May 16, Canterbury 4
4-year-old Prime Time City, May 16, Finger Lakes 4 (euthanized May 22)
5-year-old Mr. O’Leary, May 17, Aqueduct, training
5-year-old Bluecam, May 17, Parx 6
4-year-old Sunshine Bliss, May 18, Finger Lakes 7 (euthanized May 18)
4-year-old Zzaj, May 21, Saratoga, training
4-year-old Moonlit Stroll, May 23, Churchill, training
2-year-old Elite Corona, May 23, Les Bois 1
3-year-old Fancy Pancy, May 24, Finger Lakes, training
3-year-old Exceedingly, May 24, Monmouth 6
6-year-old Hello Frankie, May 25, Santa Anita 4
7-year-old I Cee’s a Tiger, May 26, Mountaineer 2
4-year-old Pop’s Cajun Gold, May 27, Evangeline 9
3-year-old Gabbole, May 28, Belmont, training
4-year-old Mark’s Wings, May 28, Evangeline 5
Big Sky Paradise, May 28, Monticello
5-year-old Icprideicpower, May 29, Finger Lakes, training
3-year-old Centerville Slew, May 29, Lone Star 1
5-year-old Player to Be Named, May 29, Penn 8
4-year-old Thou Art Mary, May 29, Penn 8
5-year-old Soul House, May 30, Belmont 6
3-year-old Ekatitude, May 30, Golden Gate 7 (euthanized June 3)
4-year-old Witt’s Demon, May 30, Lone Star 8
5-year-old Wild Flash, May 31, Monmouth 11
5-year-old Pitch N Roll, June 2, Presque Isle 4
7-year-old Tiedandtrue, June 3, Charles Town 2
2-year-old Johnie On the Dash, June 4, Fair Meadows 7
7-year-old Hughes Next, June 4, Finger Lakes 6
6-year-old Lewkodonia, June 4, Golden Gate 2
4-year-old Jedi Mind Trick, June 5, Santa Anita 1
3-year-old Jess One Kiss, June 6, Arapahoe 8
4-year-old Helwan, June 6, Belmont 4
3-year-old Kt Turtle Moves, June 6, Les Bois 3
5-year-old Sixteen Stone, June 6, Penn 7
4-year-old Pay the Debt, June 7, Santa Anita 7
4-year-old Shayenut’ntonobody, June 10, Delaware 1
3-year-old Forestry’s Majesty, June 10, Delaware 6
4-year-old Doc’s Son, June 10, Evangeline 4
3-year-old Mariano Intheninth, June 12, Churchill 6
4-year-old Jamisonsjester, June 12, Prairie 7
7-year-old Sea John’s Spirit, June 12, Santa Anita 4
4-year-old Hugh Knew, June 13, Santa Anita 3
4-year-old Dipping Diamonds, June 15, Delaware 2
4-year-old Aces Are Wild, June 15, Parx 3
5-year-old Light Weight, June 15, Parx 7
5-year-old Betty Mc, June 17, Louisiana 4
4-year-old Spasella, June 18, Charles Town 2 (euthanized June 25)
3-year-old Animal Kracker, June 20, Belmont 5
7-year-old Schilling, June 20, Oak Tree, training
10-year-old Fire Chief, June 20, Thistledown 9
3-year-old Run Like a Million, June 21, Oak Tree, training
2-year-old Coast of Carolina, June 22, Finger Lakes, training
2-year-old She Sings Along, June 25, Santa Anita 5
6-year-old Distinctive Yolie, June 26, Oak Tree 4
5-year-old Oh So Proud, June 27, Charles Town 3
4-year-old Kriscraft, June 27, Oak Tree 7
3-year-old Willful, June 27, Parx 5
4-year-old Matted in Gold, June 28, Canterbury 5
5-year-old Face the Race, June 28, Monmouth 8
Looks R Deceiving, June 28, Vernon
2-year-old Decisive Choice, June 30, Oak Tree, training
3-year-old Defined, June 30, Saratoga, training
3-year-old River Lute, July 4, Belterra 4
4-year-old Makin Babes Hot, July 5, Arapahoe 4
5-year-old Fonz, July 5, Los Alamitos 7
4-year-old Dr. Buffum, July 5, Oak Tree 7
7-year-old Katmai Unleashed, July 6, Finger Lakes 5
6-year-old Awesome Life, July 8, Charles Town 3
5-year-old Dos Oro, July 8, Charles Town 7
4-year-old Lord Cashel, July 11, Belmont 3
2-year-old Blazen a Fire, July 11, Fair Meadows 10
4-year-old Retaking, July 11, Finger Lakes 6 (euthanized July 16)
4-year-old Nevada City, July 12, Los Alamitos 9
3-year-old Leverage, July 13, Finger Lakes, training
7-year-old Cortado, July 13, Parx 3
4-year-old U So Wild, July 14, Delaware 1
6-year-old Slot Machine, July 14, Mountaineer 6
3-year-old Miss Lucky Lauren, July 15, Belmont, training
9-year-old Hostile Waters, July 15, Sacramento, training
7-year-old Holy Royal, July 16, Presque Isle 5
5-year-old Lloyd Harbor, July 17, Gulfstream 9
5-year-old Shes a Evilwarrior, July 17, Hazel 6
5-year-old Italian Harmony, July 17, Sacramento 7
Bettors Curse, July 18, Saratoga Raceway 1
4-year-old Imposing Figure, July 20, Finger Lakes 8
6-year-old Saidit Meanit, July 23, Belterra 2
5-year-old Single Handed, July 24, Monmouth 2
2-year-old Summer Mesa, July 24, Penn 1
4-year-old Stormy Stepper, July 24, Penn 2
6-year-old Fit to Rule, July 25, Del Mar 2
5-year-old Rush In, July 26, Del Mar 4
10-year-old Dream Maestro, July 26, Parx 3
Rainin Fire, July 28, Monticello, training
6-year-old Mojo Workin, July 28, Mountaineer 1
Image of Luck, July 28, Yonkers 2
5-year-old Manzutti, July 29, Delaware 4
4-year-old To Erin Again, July 30, Charles Town 2
4-year-old Sleepy Jean, July 30, Penn 7
7-year-old Mr. Candy Bar, July 30, Santa Rosa 2
6-year-old Fast Moka Too, July 31, Los Alamitos 2
3-year-old Jackson N Leonard, August 1, Saratoga, training
3-year-old Kathy’s Reward, August 1, Saratoga, training
4-year-old Innovation Economy, August 1, Saratoga 9
I have absolutely no sympathy for this trainer. His “so called” tears are a disgrace. Once again, the focus is always on the human that put these horses in peril in the first place. I’m repulsed yet again.
I agree, April. Save your sob story, Mr. Orseno…I bet you’ve already filled his stall.
Happy My Way – May you rest in peace sweet boy, I cry for you and will always remember you and how special you were. Did your trainer cry for you because he loved you, or did he cry because he lost a great money earner. I guess we will never know, but if he indeed loved you so much, why did he risk your life racing? Another beautiful baby dead in the dirt. When is enough – enough?
Marlene Thornley
Au Moon, brought back as a nine year at Monmouth 8/8/15, reportedly underwent surgery for soft tissue injury at New Bolton facility. Trainer says soft tissue injury, web accounts say more serious injury.
Exactly Patrick – tears, tears and tears for the famous racehorses that have been killed by the racing industry and never a word about the hundreds and hundreds of other racehorses that have suffered the same fate. JOE ORSENO you are a hypocrite and you have no shame in knowing that you sent that horse out there fully aware that there was a high risk of him coming to grief. One only has to look at the number of racehorses that are dying every week. Looking for sympathy and attention when it was HAPPY MY WAY that suffered not you! The next horse that replaces him, are you going to look him in the eye and think yeah you might end up like HMW too? You might but what will you do about it – NOTHING. Go figure……………
And as Patrick points out, where are the obituaries for the TWO HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-ONE RACEHORSES (271) that have died so far this year with about 5 months to go. And I stand to be corrected on my counting here. Just look at them all, all those names, all those dates when they met their deaths. How awful it must be for an industry classing itself as a “sport” that has on record 271 deaths of its athletes in a period of only 7 months. And that does not include the hidden deaths.
Thank you Carolyn for sharing. Every time I read someone’s response like this the truth hurts so much more. I ask myself what in the hell is going on here? This is America?
But you see it’s about life — human life, animal life, It’s about control, deception, destruction, and DEATH. I could go on but isn’t it really about man playing God?
This animal cruelty that kills thousands of race horses for money is exactly behind everything else that is evil and divides and conquers in this world. The root cause is evil, and without God, man will not stand up for others and it will destroy itself. Even if you don’t believe in God’s grace and eternity, look around you every day. Man simply doesn’t give a damn. When right becomes wrong and wrong becomes right, we are close to judgment. Man can’t keep taking life.
But, where this is life, there is hope. We must fight for life.