Racing truth: There is not a single day on the calendar devoid of maiming and/or destruction. Not a one – not even a slow December Monday. Equibase reports that 3-year-old The Red Baron, under the whip for just the third time, “broke down” in the 8th yesterday at Parx “and was humanely euthanized.” Dead.
Meanwhile at Zia in New Mexico, a 2-year-old filly named Riveting Rosie was raced for the second time: “pulled up about the quarter pole and vanned off.” Her first race, November 25 at that same track: “reluctant to load, lost contact with the field, was pulled up entering the turn and vanned off.” Raced twice, ambulanced off twice. At two. (Given what I know about Zia, it would not surprise me in the least if she shows up dead on the FOIA documents I will soon request.) This is horseracing.
