At Least 10 Dead Racehorses in Texas Thus Far This Year

Through a FOIA request to the Texas Racing Commission, I have confirmed the following kills at that state’s tracks thus far this year:

Data Force, Jan 20, Sam Houston T – “sudden death – died on track” (two years old)

Volley Molly, Feb 6, Sam Houston T – “leg fracture – euthanized on track”

Blind Sea, Feb 15, Sam Houston R – “leg fracture, extensive hemorrhage in soft tissue around fetlock joint with fraying of tendons and ligaments”
also: “chronic: extensive loss of cartilage”

Harlan Selection, Feb 19, Sam Houston R – “hypovolemic shock – died on track”
The official race chart, by the way, said, “fell after the wire in distress and was vanned off.” “Vanned off” – already dead, that is.

Mary Jane’s Double, Jun 3, Lone Star R – “leg fracture, extensive hemorrhage to the subcutaneous tissue and fascia surrounding the fetlock joint”

Always Secret, Jun 8, Lone Star R – “heat stress in test barn after race”

Giant Pulpit, Jun 9, Lone Star T – “heart attack” (six years old)
Giant Pulpit was raced four times this year, all at Oaklawn in Arkansas. He finished last (of 10) twice, 8th once, and was a “DNF” in the other. Then dead – of a “heart attack” – a few weeks later. Perhaps trainer Allen Milligan might have some insights?

For D’s Knight, Jun 17, Lone Star R – “[multiple] fractures: comminuted, open, displaced, complete; tendons and ligaments are torn, frayed, and covered in dirt”
The official race chart said, “went wrong, fell, vanned off.” Once again, however, the horse was euthanized where he lay.

Prince Jet, Jun 27, Lone Star S – “colic”

Wild Indy, Jun 29, Lone Star R – “open, complete, highly comminuted fractures; the superficial and deep digital flexor tendons, the strait and oblique sesmoidian ligaments, the suspensory ligament and extensor branches, and palmer ligament are hemorrhagic and variably frayed/torn”