In the last race yesterday afternoon at Santa Anita, Harliss, a 5-year-old under the whip for the 12th time, “weakened in the final furlong and was vanned off” (Equibase). In fact, he is dead – euthanized, says the track’s website, for a snapped right front ankle. Harliss becomes the third kill in the current meet – Truest Reward Dec 26, Golden Birthday Jan 1 – and 46th, yes 46th, in a little over a year.
Please don’t allow yourselves to be duped by their supposed reforms (or, for that matter, their newfound “transparency”). First, where was this zeal for “equine safety” in 2018, 2010, 1995? But more to the point, as long as human beings whip-force horses to “race,” death is inevitable. Don’t believe it? Spend a few minutes on this site.
The (Recent) Carnage at Santa Anita Park:
Psychedelicat, killed racing at Santa Anita December 30, 2018
Tank Team, killed racing at Santa Anita Jan 4, 2019
Unusual Angel, killed racing at Santa Anita Jan 4, 2019
Secret Street, killed training at Santa Anita Jan 8, 2019
Derby Treasure, killed racing at Santa Anita Jan 11, 2019
Henry, dead at Santa Anita January 14, 2019
Noise Mandate, killed racing at Santa Anita Jan 18, 2019
Amboseli, killed racing at Santa Anita Jan 20, 2019
Like Really Smart, killed racing at Santa Anita Jan 21, 2019
Last Promise Kept, killed racing at Santa Anita Jan 21, 2019
Ponchito, dead at Santa Anita January 22, 2019
Dancing Harbor, killed training at Santa Anita Jan 23, 2019
Spitfire, killed training at Santa Anita Jan 25, 2019
Mongolian Hunter, dead at Santa Anita January 28, 2019
Kid Cantina, killed racing at Santa Anita Feb 2, 2019
Comegowithme, killed racing at Santa Anita Feb 3, 2019
Jager Time, killed training at Santa Anita Feb 17, 2019
Unusual Rider, killed training at Santa Anita Feb 18, 2019
Hot American, killed racing at Santa Anita Feb 22, 2019
Battle of Midway, killed training at Santa Anita Feb 23, 2019
Just Forget It, killed training at Santa Anita Feb 23, 2019
Charmer John, killed training at Santa Anita Feb 24, 2019
Eskenforadrink, killed racing at Santa Anita Mar 2, 2019
Cooney, dead at Santa Anita March 4, 2019
Lets Light the Way, killed training at Santa Anita Mar 5, 2019
Princess Lili B, killed training at Santa Anita Mar 14, 2019
Arms Runner, killed racing at Santa Anita Mar 31, 2019
Rolling Shadow, dead at Santa Anita April 4, 2019
Commander Coil, killed training at Santa Anita May 17, 2019
Spectacular Music, killed racing at Santa Anita May 19, 2019
Kochees, killed racing at Santa Anita May 25, 2019
Current Times, dead at Santa Anita May 27, 2019
Derby River, killed training at Santa Anita June 5, 2019
Formal Dude, killed racing at Santa Anita June 8, 2019
Truffalino, killed racing at Santa Anita June 9, 2019
American Currency, killed training at Santa Anita June 22, 2019
Zeke, killed training at Santa Anita September 16, 2019
Emtech, killed racing at Santa Anita September 28, 2019
Ky. Colonel, killed training at Santa Anita October 5, 2019
Satchel Paige, killed racing at Santa Anita October 19, 2019
G Q Covergirl, killed training at Santa Anita October 25, 2019
Bye Bye Beautiful, killed racing at Santa Anita October 27, 2019
Mongolian Groom, killed racing at Santa Anita November 2, 2019
Truest Reward, killed training at Santa Anita December 26, 2019
Golden Birthday, killed racing at Santa Anita January 1, 2020
Harliss, killed racing at Santa Anita January 17, 2020
See all these type of sports need to be outlawed including dog racing because after the dogs get too old or weak to run they just kill them. And all of these animals need to have a real home and be life and let the humans run around the track
Felicia Rooney, there was an exhibition race at Emerald Downs (in the state of Washington) in which human beings were dressed up in dinosaur costumes and were in the starting gates and ran on the dirt track. My adult daughter shared the video with me several months ago. It was actually funny and entertaining. My daughter said, “That’s a good use of a racetrack.” I totally agree. The video might still be on YouTube.
Patrick, I don’t believe that their modus operandi has changed one bit, regardless of anything they say. They hurt horses for wagering profits and that has not changed. They lie. They cheat. They will continue to lie and cheat and hurt horses and some of those hurting horses will definitely be killed by horseracing as always and as usual for PROFIT (and for their sadistic gratification) for the racing and gaming industries.
David O’Rourke and the NYRA as well as the whole horse racing industry obviously do NOT understand what the word REFORM actually means. They will continue to have races for 2-year-old Thoroughbred fillies and colts. They will allegedly not allow the drug Lasix for the 2-year-olds (in New York) and he (David O’ROURKE) admits that some will bleed. So, evidently, the racing industry people want to see blood, literally. They already know that some of the 2-year-olds will bleed. They know this from years of experience at forcing horses to run at their maximum capability or capacity and, still, they plan to continue to commit this heinous act of morbid cruelty and torture to 2-year-old Thoroughbred fillies and colts. The increased revenue from wagering on more races is their pride and joy. It’s like, “who cares about what happens to the horses as long as we can make more money from the wagering handle.” So, this is a clear illustration of how the so-called safety reforms and the newly formed organization, Thoroughbred Safety Coalition, are an in-your-face FARCE.
I cannot believe any of the “people” involved in horse racing can even begin to feel justified to kill these magnificent animals in the name of “sport” so they can make bets on the lives of other beings. I think each and every one of them are despicable excuses for humans and I use the term very loosly
The question is what would these owners, trainers, vets and jockeys do without horse racing? They have no redeemable skills because all they’ve known is how to live off the misery and death of the horses they exploit. What respectable horse facility would ever employ any of them after the racing industry implodes and the full catalog of disgusting details comes out? I’d love to see these pompous rich owners and trainers in a paper hat flipping cheap burgers and wiping down greasy tables for the rest of their existence.
Rebecca, I would prefer to see many of the worst repeat offenders of heinous acts of morbid cruelty and torture to horses in prison and working on a chain gang.
Do we really think that the greedy, insensitive, heinous individuals who are involved in horse racing are going to change?? The only way that will happen is if their fat pockets are affected. No “green, no racing scene. ” First off, the ASPCA and other animal welfare groups should enforce that using whips the way they do, is blatant animal cruelty. A law should be passed declaring that, and animal groups have the moxie to do that. Second,
if the crazed for action general public would stop supporting horse racing, that would put them totally out of business. The folks who attend and make big bets in the races are just about as guilty and cruel as those who own, ride, and handle the horses, whether on ground or under saddle. The latter sees, first hand, the trauma the equines go through, yet they continue to support it, just by showing up. Sure, sure, they need their jobs as most have their own families, etc. But at the expense of the Divine Equine??? Many business’ have closed their doors, laid off people, or fired them for one reason or another. They were able to get jobs in other areas, so the frail excuse of “hundreds of people will lose their income” is not a valid one. They are trying to turn it into a human welfare concern, as opposed to a death/s by the hands of man issue. There are also many farms who will breed hundreds of Thoroughbreds, mainly for the racing industry. If they stopped doing that, it would also put a dent in the need for greed folks. Unless people who are involved in the racing industry begin to realize and own that they are totally responsible for the death of every horse, nothing will change for the better. For them, a horse is a commodity, an entertainment creature, a money making machine, and tend to forget they too, have a lovely culture. They live in herds, as they thrive in companionship, they are a good man’s friend, partner, facilitator, companion and can heal those who have challenges in life. They also can procreate, have babies, and take care of them instinctively, like a human mother would her child. They fight for their rights, but most importantly take care and love one another.
In so many ways, animals are more intelligent than humans in ways that count the most. Who cares if they are not CEO’s or multi-millionaires. Their lives have much value, and should be respected, supported and allowed to thrive. So, money hungry, murderers, and lack of integrity and conscience humans, what kind of bedtime stories will you tell your kids and grandkids?? How many horses were killed at the race track that day? Go ahead — make their day! The word “in-humane” has a new meaning. Because it is “humans” who cause so much destruction regarding welfare of animals (and oh, so many other things) , “in-humane” now is obsolete, and it has been changed to “humane” given that humans are the culprits of cruelty to animals and more. So, race track fans, consider yourselves to be “humane” because it is YOU, who are participating in man’s legalize death sport. Hope you can sleep at night!
Too damn many animals have died racing for a human’s pocketbook. Horses and dogs do not deserve to die driven without remorse by a greedy human. The animals feel pain and this should be considered abusive treatment. Racing any animal should be banned!
Where are the apologists now? Tweeting condolences to save face? Getting ready to celebrate outside of Santa Anita tomorrow in a counter protest. There is no defense. There is no excuse. There is no reform that will stop the killing.
Protest Santa Anita Park tomorrow January 19, 2020 1 pm – 3 pm.
For more information: https://www.facebook.com/events/511611533039513/
A new Horseracing Wrongs billboard is now live in Los Angeles for 8 weeks. Thank you all for caring about the horses, and for standing side-by-side with us to fight for their lives.
Together, we can End Horseracing.
Stop this Horse Race , too many are Dead & Dieing
Please dont race these horses due to so many horses have already have died. These horses deserve to live as much as you do.
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There is so much animal abuse already.
The world has become so brutal to animals
God did not put these animals in this world for people to be abusive to or to kill them.
I think the problem is that there is no incentive to reform. Tracks, horse owners and trainers make way too much money to care about reform. We know of a couple on the east coast who are in this “business” and are making tons of money as barn owners. She trains and “flips” horses and he is a jockey. They’re now selling horses to friends who can afford their services and of course they’re all making money on the gambling. This is a deep rooted industry that has many avenues for people to make money. I would be curious to know what the death rate is at other tracks too.
Santa Anita, CLOSE DOWN AND GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER!
People in this industry forget these are Gods creatures. The people become very hardened and have convinced themselves what they are doing is fine. It has to do with gambling addiction, not just for money but for the owners it’s about this could be the one that hits the big time. Pride in winning. The owners truly are addicted to this sport. Been on the inside of this industry and it is Godless.