The Equibase note on 5-year-old Hidden Closer at Delta Downs last night (race 4): “HIDDEN CLOSER chased the early pace…rushed up outside up the backstretch, was pulled up and euthanized.” That’s it, no euphemisms this time. Right to dead.
This is horseracing.
HIDDEN CLOSER was a rising 6 year old gelding who first raced in June 2012. His 13 starts took place at Delta Downs and Evangeline. 13: 2-4-1 for $38,660. His owner was Donald Erickson and then for his last 3 starts his trainer, Amos Laborde became his owner. This gelding had a very lengthy lay-off from June 2013 to October 2014 = 16 months which tells me that it is likely that he suffered an injury. In his last start prior to his absence from racing he faltered during the race and came home 8th/10 and it is possible that he sustained a race injury.
It appears he had no workouts during this period except for 2 in October immediately prior to resuming on Oct 31, 2014 and Chart states “HIDDEN CLOSER could only pass tired ones (horses)”. He came home 6th/10 and this gelding immediately then has another very lengthy lay-off from Oct 2014 until November 2015 = 13 months which indicates that all was not well with HC.
http://www.equibase.com/profiles/Results.cfm?type=Horse&refno=8968949®istry=T
Starting a horse after a long period out is a high risk factor for a catastrophic fracture according to Dr Chris Riggs, BVSc, PhD, DEO, Dipl. ECVS, MRCVS, head of Veterinary Clinical Services at the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
http://www.thehorse.com/articles/34672/preventing-injuries-in-thoroughbred-racehorses?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=lameness&utm_campaign=10-08-2014
This horse was pulled up and for what reason we do not know because once again the racing officials regard it as irrelevant and the truth is not disclosed to the public. It is disclosed that HC was euthanased – end of story. My guess is that he suffered a catastrophic fracture.
Another young horse sacrificed for $2 bets, pure greed and human “entertainment”.
Horseracing is UNETHICAL.