Last week, I reported on a kill at Thistledown (actually, kills on back-to-back days). But I had it on good authority that two other horses died that day (September 11). So, I contacted the Ohio State Racing Commission; Wednesday, I received confirmation:
In the 1st race, She’s Flat Out “fractured right front ankle at 3/8 pole” – euthanized. She’s Flat Out was four and under the whip for the 36th time.
Prior to the 2nd race, Zippit Yankee – but a “scratch” on the chart – “injured [his] tail and fractured vertebrae in [the] gate” – euthanized where he lay. Imagine that scene.
In all, Thistledown killed four horses – just racing, mind you – in two days.
Defend that, apologists.
These 3rd and 4th tier tracks that have this level of injuries and deaths should be closed. They would be but for the casinos that use them to stay in existence. Horrible symbiotic relationship.
Sickening. These people have no morals whatsoever. I cannot imagine being their family pet. It is, no doubt, the same treatment as they give these horses.
Reblogged this on Armory of the Revolution.
I don’t even want to imagine what those monsters were doing to Zippit Yankee for him to get those injuries. Probably twisting his tail up over his back to try to force him in the gate; I’ve seen asshole use the same method trying to force a horse to load into a trailer. There had to be video footage of what happened, unless the racing industry managed to hide it.
It’s heartbreaking that the only relief or escape these horses can find is through death, and they aren’t even allowed a peaceful one.
I have heard from numerous sources that are at Thistledown that Zippit Yankee’s death was “awful”. Of course, as racetrack rumor mills go, one wonders how much of the stories are true or have been exxagerated, but even in broken English and in Spanish the main descriptions were “awful” and “horrible”, and that he actually ripped his tail off, and in this process, lost an incredible amount of blood. I was told by someone that gallops on the track that even days later, after numerous harrow passes, his blood could still be seen staining the dirt.
An abbreviated live of abuse culminating in a violent death is the “norm” for the vast majority of these Horses.
All the killings are outrageous and the death of Zippit Yankee is particularly egregious.
Innocent horses killed.for.not providing money and entertainment on the spot! Horrible!!!!!. I will never go to horse race!
The following is copied and pasted from my FB – I have posted there a photo of the beautiful Zippit Yankee…
This is Zippit Yankee – and he was killed in the starting gate (he was loaded in preparation to race) at Thistledown (Ohio) on September 11. Before reading on, a warning that his death was horrific.
From an individual via eye witnesses, this; “I have heard from numerous sources that are at Thistledown that Zippit Yankee’s death was ‘awful’…even in broken English and in Spanish the main descriptions were ‘awful’ and ‘horrible’, and that he actually ripped his tail off, and in this process, lost an incredible amount of blood. I was told by someone that gallops on the track that even days later, after numerous harrow passes, his blood could still be seen staining the dirt.”
Now let’s consider what the Ohio State Racing Commission replied when asked if Zippit Yankee was indeed dead, as Equibase merely reported he was scratched from the 2nd race on that day…their response; “injured tail and fractured vertebrae in gate”. Injured tail. Asked if he was DEAD and his “injured tail” was mentioned in their reply. Why is that?
Would an injured tail be a cause of death? – or a contributing factor? Not typically. How about if Zippit Yankee injured his EAR while thrashing about in the starting gate? – do you think it’s likely the commission would include in their response to our asking if he was dead, “injured ear and fractured vertebrae in gate”? Of course not.
The FACT that the OSRC included Zippit Yankee’s “injured tail” in their response about his DEATH is significant and something I truly don’t want to ponder. But we must.
In the comments, I am including additional information that Zippit Yankee was anxious in the starting gate – “flipping” and scratched in 2015, “gate incident” and scratched 2017, and even mention of how quickly he gets OUT of the gate in 2018.
To think his final minutes on earth were sheer terror and suffering excruciating injuries that necessitated his DEATH – and then I’m questioned about my hatred of this unnecessary gambling industry? Look at Zippit Yankee, imagine his death scene, then tell me how you can defend what he endured just so you could be entertained that day.
https://horseracingwrongs.org/2019/09/20/injured-tail-fractured-vertebrae-in-gate-dead/
OMG enough of the cruelty in horse racing! If you must, bet on sports, where humans participate, do not subject animals who have no say in their participation in such dangerous situations!
Did anyone involved in this hideous cruelty, torture, violent and brutal abuse of a horse used for racing and wagering handle get charged with a crime? Some racing connections should be behind bars for this criminal abuse of a horse!!!!!!!!!!!