Equibase reports that three horses (at least) “broke down” yesterday on American tracks. For those who may be uninitiated, “broke down” almost invariably means dead.
First, at Tampa Bay, 3-year-old Gabby’s Warrior went down in the 4th. In her penultimate race on September 12 at Mountaineer, Gabby “wilted” (after being “pressed”) to a second-to-last finish – 49 lengths back.
Later in the day at Charles Town:
Diamond Dozen “broke down shortly after the start” of the 3rd. Stupefyingly, Diamond’s racing “debut” came in September – at 9 1/2 years old. In that race – claiming, of course – he finished 9th of 10; in his second and only other race (also claiming), he finished 8th of 9. Unraced till 9 1/2, dumped immediately into claiming hell, hopelessly bad (though still earning – CT is a racino), broken down three races in. Just when I think the racing people have hit their depraved nadir, the bar gets moved.
And – 3-year-old Forged in Gold “led early [in the 8th] and broke down entering the turn.” In her penultimate race three weeks ago (also at CT), Forged finished 7th of 8.
Charles Town has now had three breakdowns in two days. Thursday night, it was 3-year-old Silver Sundara in the 6th.
This is horseracing.
Oh. My. Dear. God.
Sickening.
And the carnage continues…unabated. Oh, but just think of it this way. Diamond Dozen died doing what he loved to do…what he was bred to do…race! I guess desperate people must try to justify the killing of this sweet boy.
so sad . all about money. used up and thrown away.