According to the Gaming Commission, Not That Brady “sustained RH injury while galloping” at Belmont Saturday, “[was] ambulanced off and subsequently euthanized.” He was five years old and coming off his 24th race (in which he finished last) June 10.
The New York Racing Association (NYRA), the umbrella corp that runs Aqueduct, Belmont, and Saratoga, is super proud of its “safety record.” In fact, the suits there never miss an opportunity to remind us – as if merely by saying something over and over makes it true. Well, to invoke my favorite John Adams quote, facts are stubborn things. Yes, facts, like almost 1,000 dead horses at NYRA tracks just since 2009. Facts, like 83 dead last year. Facts, like 35 (below) already this year.
Patrick McKenna, NYRA spokesman, recently tweeted (regarding us) that he’d welcome the debate. Any time, any place, Mr. McKenna. Any time, any place.
Sander’s Empire, Jan 1, Aqueduct R – “suffered an injury, euthanized on track”
Escape, Jan 1, Belmont T (euthanized Jan 3) – “collapsed while breezing”
All Mo, Jan 7, Belmont T – “open distal radial fracture”
Spy Story, Jan 8, Aqueduct R – “took bad steps”
Cerretalto, Jan 29, Belmont S – “colic…euthanized due to poor prognosis”
Oh My Papa, Feb 4, Belmont T – “suffered injuries while breezing”
Daytime Doll, Feb 6, Belmont T – “pulled up…euthanized on track”
Nisbet Beach, Feb 15, Aqueduct R – “fell heavily…euthanized on track”
Prospect Mountain, Feb 20, Belmont T – “sustained mid-body fractures”
Creative Style, Mar 7, Aqueduct R – “took a bad step”
Whisper Wisdom, Mar 10, Belmont S – “joint infection”
Hyperactive Chris, Mar 10, Belmont T – “broke down near the wire”
Big Luther, Mar 13, Belmont T – “sustained open fractures”
Kiss Me Dave, Mar 20, Aqueduct R – “fell fatally” (two years old, first race)
Unrelenting Force, Mar 28, Aqueduct R – “sustained injury to RF leg”
Niiji, Mar 31, Belmont S – “pleuropneumonia”
Voodoo Magic, Apr 5, Belmont S – “acute colic” (two years old)
Beastie D, Apr 13, Belmont S – “died due to injuries sustained in barn fire”
American Sailor, Apr 13, Belmont S – “died due to injuries sustained in barn fire”
Haikal, Apr 22, Belmont T – “injury to LF leg”
Determined Heart, Apr 22, Belmont R – “injured, vanned off, [euthanized]”
Singapore Trader, Apr 24, Belmont T – “pulled up lame”
Lady Sansa, Apr 28, Belmont T – “fetlock injury…developed laminitis post [surgery]”
Buyer’s Remorse, May 1, Belmont T – “sustained an injury at the wire”
Mister Bobby, May 13, Saratoga T – “collapsed and died” (five years old)
Latin Love Bug, May 14, Belmont R – “went wrong, fell”
yet-to-be-named 2-year-old, May 23, Belmont S – “infection, died in stall”
Dads Honor, May 23, Belmont T – “leg injury while breezing – euthanized on track”
Playthatfunnymusic, May 29, Belmont R – “catastrophic injury…euthanized on track”
Singular Sensation, May 31, Belmont R – “catastrophic injury…euthanized on track”
Lullula, Jun 1, Belmont T (euthanized Jun 6) – “left carpal injury”
Micromillion, Jun 3, Belmont S – “colic…euthanized due to poor prognosis”
Tia Vicky, Jun 21, Belmont S – “found deceased in its stall”
Charge Into War, Jun 26, Belmont R – “fracture, cardiac arrest after surgery”
Not That Brady, Jun 26, Belmont T – “RH injury, ambulanced off, euthanized”
“Sustained mid-body fractures”?! I don’t even want to know how that happened. And how many “bad steps” can be taken on a smooth, flat dirt surface?!
A mid-body is one type of sesamoid fracture, basically a fracture through the middle third of the bone.
Honestly, I wouldn’t have been surprised if it was a complete breakdown of the spine – it’s repulsive how many of these horses have spines that seem to shatter mid-stride.
It is a fact that horse racing is an abusive, barbaric bloodsport. I know calling it a sport is highly offensive. I understand that it is classified as a “sport” because horseracing (and the subsequent killing of injured horses) is absolutely non-essential. It started out as a pastime, a form of recreation, for rich people or Kings. Now, horseracing is a business; a business of extreme brutalization of horses for gambling bets and financial gain through Corporate Welfare in several states, tax breaks, the stud fees, and the sales of racehorses at racehorse and livestock auctions and to slaughter, etc.
In fact, horseracing is known for causing lameness in horses, in many cases, to the point of broken bones that are categorized as “necessitating euthanasia” so it is not a normal or safe thing for any human to do with or to any horse! Horseracing at New York Racing Association racetracks is supposedly “less deadly” than at other racetracks. How would the people of the NYRA be able to compare their “less deadly” horseracing to any other racing jurisdiction, unless they were/are keeping tabs on how many horses are or have been catastrophically injured and killed?
What kind of people can brazenly proclaim that their so-called sport is “safe” because they “kill fewer horses” than any other racing jurisdiction and that their racetracks are “less deadly” than other racing jurisdictions’ racetracks? What kind of people could knowingly and willfully brutalize horses on a daily basis and boast that they are safe??? Somehow the words “deadly” and “safe” do NOT go together.
What kind of person or persons could and would and did and do covet the title of “LESS DEADLY” in their respective racing jurisdiction for the racetracks where they are making a killing off of the horses AND the taxpayers???
What part of “deadly” can these brazen, horse-brutalizing people not understand has no place with anything that is truly safe…?!
As usual Wanda your point is valid and accurate! Safe. Ha. Belmont HAS 35 dead horses!! Actually, maybe they’ve given us the simplest argument . One Mr. Battuello has already stated: Horse Racing is Deadly and should be eradicated. The only State(s) less deadly Don’t HAVE horse racing.
This sick “sport” needs to cease.
If i could amend to say NYRA has 35 dead horses.
Belmont the majority.
Reblogged this on Armory of the Revolution.