The 4th at Aqueduct yesterday, as relayed by Equibase: “Big Mischief…suddenly became detached in the general area of the half mile pole after suffering a fatal injury, was pulled up then after being examined by the track veterinarian, was euthanized.” Big Mischief was three; this was her fourth time under the whip.
Then this for the 3rd at Penn Saturday: “SALT IT HERE set the pace while under constant pressure from the inside…drifted out through the whole stretch run after the rider switched to left handed urging…held on to win while being struck over twenty times in the stretch.” “Over twenty times” – but then again, the jockey, Angel Rodriquez, was just doing his job, as the $6,000 win-take was there for the seizing.
This is horseracing.
Aqueduct season started not long ago, way too many broken legs in so short of a time, there is something wrong with the surface of the racetrack. It is time to start a list of where these deaths occurred during the races and this track must be closed. Period.
Look at the horse that finished last on the 23rd at Aqueduct. Raced without rear shoes!? Did they forget to shoe the horse or just not care if he was injured wearing only 2 shoes?
At that track you don’t get the best horses, trainers or jockeys. They went south to warmer weather, so at the Big A there is no interest in the welfare of the horses or anyone else for that matter. Time to shutter the doors to horse racing and let them have their slots. Heard that not one horse stays at Aqueduct, they are shuttled over from Belmont.