Through a FOIA request to the Arizona Dept. of Gaming, I have confirmed these remaining kills at that state’s tracks last year (the rest here). Please note that Arizona horseracing effectively shut down for the year when Turf ended its meet in May.
Captain Dashi, Apr 11, Turf R
“After passing the finish line it collapsed. Exam found bleeding from both nostrils, the horse was agonally breathing and died within a few minutes.” Necropsy details: “hemorrhage on the sclera of both eyes; lungs heavy, wet, red to dark purple, hemorrhagic, and congested; multifocal gastric ulcers; tongue ulcer.” (five years old)
Then this: “It is hypothesized that blood pressure can increase significantly in pulmonary capillaries during exercise in horses, leading to rupture and hemorrhage. When severe, this hemorrhage can fill the lungs with blood, lead to epistaxis, as seen in this horse, resulting in death. The subcutaneous bruises observed in this patient are likely due to trauma from the collapse on the track that happened just before death. The abrasions in the right carpal joints are also common in racehorses.”
Predetermination, May 7, Santa Cruz R
“Broke down after wire: fractured cannon.”
“After passing the finish line it collapsed” That sentence speaks to me thus:
1. Captain Dashi was dying before he even got to the finish line he was drowning in his own blood.
2. His blood pressure was super elevated for that amount of bleeding to occur even showing bleeding into the sclera of both his eyes. He must have shown symptoms well before he got to the finish line, no doubt.
3. Captain Dashi is an “IT” to racing as are all the horses. They are not considered as living breathing beings who feel fear, pain and struggle greatly to stay alive. This horse suffered trying to breath as he was forced to cross the finish line. Why was he not pulled up??
Could it have anything to do with money?! I will check the chart.
4. As I suspected, the unfortunate creature was forced to cross the finish line for a measly $108.00. He started in 3rd place then ran 2nd to the 3/8 pole. In the stretch he started to drop back because he was hemorrhaging by then. He finished 9th of 10.
Outrageous cruelty.
P.S. The chart said “weakened through the final furlong and was vanned off”!!