In my periodic follow-up on “vanned off” horses in Florida, I found these two:
4-year-old Challenge Princess was injured and ambulanced off at Tampa Apr 5. 2 1/2 months later, she resurfaced at the hellhole known as Camarero Race Track in Puerto Rico. She has been raced six times there, under three different trainers. Including her last in the States, that makes four handlers since April. In addition, her “claiming tag” (sale price) has plummeted from $27K in June to $4K two weeks ago. Doesn’t take a genius to figure out where this is headed. Current owner: Establo Bulls Farms.
4-year-old Mia Camila was vanned off at Gulfstream Apr 2. She returned, however, later that month at that same track: dead last, 35 1/2 lengths back. While she has not been raced since, her certificate, according to the Jockey Club, is currently assigned to the Puerto Rico Thoroughbred Racing Administration. Alive, dead, languishing in an island stall? Who knows.
This is horseracing.
I can’t help but think of the mass grave pit (I saw on the map) that they use to bury dead racehorses that were killed by racing or possibly dead on arrival from being shipped to Puerto Rico.
This industry does not provide adequate care for its horses. There is nothing “amazing” about the care that these horses receive. They are used, abused, injured, dumped and forgotten about.
I think this post sums up the horseracing industry perfectly. The downward spiral of the unsuccessful and their usefulness to a self centred cruel industry is gambling.