From the stewards at Churchill Downs:
Jun 1:
“The Big Mozz finished 2nd [and] suffered a postrace heatstroke. Placed on See Vet List.”
“Prodigious Bay required the horse ambulance. Placed on See Vet List.”
Jun 2:
“The claim [sale] of Freeform was voided when horse was placed on Vet’s List.”
“Mommy Juice bled. Placed on See Vet List.”
“The claim of Super Design was voided when horse was placed on Vet’s List.”
Jun 4:
“The claim of All Eyes West was voided when horse was placed on Vet’s List.”
“Dreamwithinadream suffered a postrace heatstroke. Placed on See Vet List.”
“The claim of Gunner Bay was voided when horse was placed on Vet’s List.”
Also, more details on the death of Bosque Redondo: “This colt was galloping out after the race [at Churchill, May 13] when he became acutely lame. The vet and ambulance responded. Radiographs revealed a fracture [actually multiple] which was thought might be amenable to surgical repair. After further evaluation [at a hospital]…the colt was given a poor prognosis and was euthanized on May 15.” Also found, of course, was chronic stomach ulceration. Bosque had just turned four.
The cruelty and suffering inflicted upon the horses is totally unacceptable. Horseracing is abusive to the horses. This deliberate causing of harm and death to horses for racing and wagering must be punishable by law. Animal abusers should be punished; they should not be rewarded.
No person should be above the law regarding these criminal acts against horses.
Is there a temperature at which it is illegal to run a horse? With climate change a reality, our summers here in the east are seeing an increasing number of days above 90 degrees. 90 and above used to be seen occasionally in August maybe. Now it is a given, for much longer stretches of consecutive days, and happening earlier and earlier in the year (one 90 degree day in March already, and two or three in May) Has there been any discussion of rising temperatures among those in the racing industry? I’d be surprised if they care.
Excellent point, Teresa. The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, and others, have charts available on the internet from the year 1950 to the year 2022 that show an overall increase in temperatures each year. The drought conditions that go with that, the supply chain shortages and other catastrophic events could also mean shortages in the supply of hay and grain crops.
I’ve noticed lately that a lot of horses are being entered in claiming races that appear to be much lower than their records would indicate, I guess this is the new business model trend – race an unsound horse that can barely make it around the track hoping that it will be claimed.
Gee, this business model needs to be taught in Harvard Business School – Sleaze 101.
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