Through a FOIA request to the Ohio State Racing Commission, I have confirmed the following kills at that state’s tracks in 2020 (this is part 2; part 1 here).
Dante Ivy, Apr 18, Northfield T – “went down on the track…deceased”
Coach Ken, May 12, Northfield T – “fractured shoulder”
Semifinal, Jul 8, Belterra R – “multiple fractures, disruption of ligament”
Champsachamp, Jul 9, Belterra R – “multiple fractures of both sesamoids”
Sally, Jul 10, Belterra R – “open, compound fracture; disarticulation of fetlock”
Pony Shack Chatter, Jul 13, Belterra T – “fractured femur”
Sergeant Stryker, Jul 13, Thistledown R – “severe fracture – comminuted, displaced”
Absolute Control, Jul 15, Belterra R – “compound, comminuted fracture of pastern” (first race in over 1.5 years)
Hopper Hunter, Jul 16, Thistledown R – “fractured cannon while leaving the gate”
Grams Revenge, Aug 4, Belterra R – “[multiple] compound fractures”
Gambling Dalton, Aug 5, Belterra R – “lame post race – fracture” (first race)
Final Offer, Aug 7, Northfield R – “collapsed in stall after race and passed”
Hot Valentina, Aug 8, Thistledown S – “flipped, severely fractured withers”
Jumped Bail, Aug 11, Thistledown R – “fractured knee – euthanized on track”
Krueger, Aug 12, Scioto R – “comminuted P1 fracture”
Plain Tales, Aug 16, Belterra S – “found dead in the morning with large amounts of froth and bloody discharge from the nasal passages” (10-year-old had been raced 81 times, most recently four days prior to being “found dead”)
Miss Bliss, Aug 24, Thistledown T – “displaced fracture – euthanized on track”
Dark Arden, Sep 15, Belterra R – “avulsed ligaments and disarticulated fetlock”
S S Revolutionary, Sep 17, Thistledown T – “fractured both sesamoids LF”
Steel City Brieze, Sep 17, Thistledown R – “fell, fractured right shoulder and elbow”
King Lomax, Oct 7, Belterra R – “complete, compound, open fracture of cannon”
Wild Tillie, Oct 14, Thistledown R (euthanized Oct 17) – “lame post race, [did not] improve”
Dancewiththedevil, Oct 14, Thistledown R – “fracture MCIII; piece of metal in cavity – possible screw fragment or drill bit”
Jazzie Babe, Oct 16, Dayton R – “suddenly went down – at least two bones fractured”
Malibu West, Oct 19, Thistledown S – “founder RF foot”
Candy Classic, Oct 19, Thistledown R – “horse fractured both front limbs, one open, displaced – euthanized on track”
Verdad, Oct 29, Northfield S – “broken neck”
To Fast for Cam, Nov 1, Mahoning T – “fractured knee”
Enemy Runner, Nov 2, Mahoning R – “collapsed after race, had agonal breathing then died” (three years old)
Giovante, Nov 7, Mahoning R – “complete fracture left shin”
Lentor, Nov 9, Mahoning T – “fractured shoulder – euthanized on track”
Heavenly Bird, Nov 23, Mahoning R – “fractured and dislocated RF ankle”
Adversary Seelster, Dec 13, Northfield S – “got loose, hit pole, probable skull/neck fracture – instant death”
Calusa Queen, Dec 22, Mahoning R – “horse broke down in stretch, LF ankle”
Delightful Pride, Dec 26, Mahoning S – “twisted large intestine”
This list of injuries to all of these racehorses is evidence of horrendous pain and suffering to horses. It all could have been prevented by not racing!!! Horseracing is a cruel, barbaric business of torturing horses as gambling chips. It’s unacceptable to think that this gruesome destruction of horse flesh is okay, because this degree of ABUSE is criminal. Horseracing needs to be legally recognized as the CRIME THAT IT IS!!!!!
Candy classic was the horse that jockey David Haldar continued to beat on to cross the finish line. So, now we know he ran on TWO broken legs, one of which was an open fracture (!!!) while that piece of crap was beating him to keep running!!
Everyone at thistledown should hang their heads in shame on this one- most especially the owner/trainer and this turd of a jockey!
I also find it interesting that the OSRC, at the end of December 2020, only claimed THREE Standarbred deaths for the year. On this list alone there’s more than that for half a year!
Shadiness at its best!
This is a disgusting list of deaths of these poor horses. Why in the hell don’t the losers that keep being involved in this sport including the spectators all just go to hell home and let these poor animals live. You useless bastards don’t have a clue on how to take care and deal with horses – all of you are only there for the god damn dollars and you don’t give a shit about how many of these poor horses you run right into the ground and how much pain they endure for your f*cking hobby. Why don’t you all just f*ck right off – you are all murderers every single one of you involved.
I’ll say it again – these injuries look like what you would expect from the track being littered with land mines. How in the hell does a horse shatter his leg running on a flat, well tended surface? I’ve been around horses for years and I have NEVER seen ANY horse get these kinds of injuries either in the pasture or while in training or competition, like racing apologists insist happen all the time.
Thank you, Kelly!!!! Thank you, Mary Johnson!!!! We hate the ABCDs of HORSERACING!!!! We hate the fact that racehorses are subject to ABUSE, BRUTALITY, CRUELTY, & DEATH on a daily basis in this organized criminal activity called horseracing!!!! It is WRONG to exploit horses in this manner!!!! It is also horribly WRONG to pour public funds into it in any way, shape or form!!!!!! It is horribly WRONG to let this daily ABUSE, BRUTALITY, CRUELTY, and DEATH of racehorses go on as an officially approved activity!!!!!