Through a FOIA request to the West Virginia Racing Commission, I have confirmed the following deaths at Mountaineer in 2016:
Nofinancingneeded, April 20, training, “collapsed and died”
Margin, May 2, race 6 (euthanized May 16), “MCIII fracture”
Luck of Irish, May 3, race 9, “biaxial fracture – humanely destroyed”
Early Glory, May 10, race 1, “slab fracture – humanely destroyed”
Sue’s Nice Shadow, May 22, training, “accident in gate – humanely destroyed”
He’s a Delight, May 23, prior to race 4, “flipped in paddock, cranial fracture – dead on arrival”
Georgia Glitter, June 1, race 2, “biaxial fracture – humanely destroyed”
Bruno Cino, June 8, race 7, “spinal fracture – humanely destroyed”
Timely Pursuit, June 19, race 1, “biaxial fracture – humanely destroyed”
Gorgeous Sunrise, June 19, race 7, “slab fracture – humanely destroyed”
Amanda in Front, July 5, race 7 (euthanized July 14), “slab fracture”
Yari, July 20, race 4, “biaxial fracture – humanely destroyed”
Shakespeare’s Girl, July 27, race 1 (euthanized July 28), “slab fracture”
Awesome Group, July 30, race 1, “biaxial fracture – humanely destroyed”
Holey Molar, August 27, race 2, “biaxial fracture – humanely destroyed”
Fonepferesh, September 13, race 1, “biaxial fracture – humanely destroyed”
Why Argue, September 17, training, “suspensory”
Dreaming of Bella, September 19, race 8, “vascular accident”
Fan Demon, September 27, race 4, “biaxial fracture – humanely destroyed”
Hotrod Justice, October 10, race 6, “biaxial fracture – humanely destroyed”
My Silver Badge, October 11, race 9 (euthanized October 27), “biaxial fracture – humanely destroyed”
Kerisma, October 23, race 4, “biaxial fracture – humanely destroyed”
Profitable Lover, October 25, race 7 (euthanized November 4), “slab fracture”
Freudian Fantasy, October 25, race 9, “biaxial fracture – humanely destroyed”
Da Big Dawg, October 29, race 9, “sudden death” (10 years old, 82nd race)
Zee Note, November 1, training, “fractured pastern – humanely destroyed”
Suzy’s Storm, November 6, race 2, “biaxial fracture – humanely destroyed”
Way Out Willie, November 6, race 3, “slab fracture – humanely destroyed”
Flatter Talk, November 15, race 2 (euthanized November 22), “slab fracture”
Jo Dancer, November 20, race 2, “humerus fracture – humanely destroyed”
Suspecttommy, November 22, race 3, “compound fracture MCIII – humanely destroyed”
In addition, the following horses died on track grounds from what the industry calls “non-racing” causes. While this may be technically true, morally they are no less casualties of this vile business than the ones above.
Classic Kate, April 13, “penetrating abdominal wound – humanely destroyed” (was last raced March 23)
Silver Pigeon, July 19, “colic – humanely destroyed” (four “career” races: 12th, 7th, 9th, 9th)
C.C. Water Back, August 6, “enteritis – died” (yet-to-be-raced 3-year-old)
Mango Tart, August 15, “colic – humanely destroyed” (7-year-old, 29 races)
Bay Apache, August 26, “colic – died [not euthanized]” (was last raced just 19 days prior)
Holy Highway, October 18, “died from pneumonia” (7-year-old, 52 races)
Phoebe Moon, November 4, “colic, enteritis – found dead in stall” (7-year-old, 56 races – last one just two weeks prior)
There can be no justification for the killing of animals for $2 bets. End it. Now.
The industry is having itself on if it thinks that racehorses who do not die in a race but die on racetrack premises are not death statistics. Whether it be in a racetrack stall/stable/common ground or during a lay-off or on a private training facility, any horse that is registered as a racehorse at date of death (wherever and however the death occurred) IS A horseracing industry DEATH STATISTIC.
Indeed they are Carolyn, and so are the forgotten racehorses who die in the dirt on Private Training Centers all over the U.S.
These dead racehorses don’t even make it into the Death Statistics.
The only 2 good stories coming out this week is that Suffolk Downs is shutting down. They sold their property to development. Hundreds of racehorses DIED on that track. It’s similar to the hell hole Finger Lakes.
Secondly, DECOUPLING has passed all hurdles in the Florida Senate with most facilities no longer required to run live racing. Some still are, but I think that will end eventually.
It’s going to take time, but it will slowly be put away in the history books where it belongs.
That time can’t come soon enough for the racehorses.
Once again – to all racehorses who lost their life for dimes, and dollars we will continue to be your voice.
WHEN will the abuse & depraved indifference to horses STOP!! — Until the horses are treated properly, with love & respect, horse race events& venues MUST be SHUT DOWN!
Racing would shut down if the money disappeared. However, it looks like the purses are getting bigger, $200, 000 to a million over the weekend.