Through a FOIA request to the North Dakota Racing Commission, I have confirmed the following kills at that state’s two tracks last year. (Please note: North Dakota is among the lightest of racing states, with but 14 live-racing days last year.)
River Biscuit, Jun 3, Chippewa R
“River Biscuit went down, made little attempt to stand, and was lying flat when help arrived. It was apparent immediately that [she] had been catastrophically injured and needed to be euthanized on the track. The vet administered the drugs and within a couple minutes there was no discernable heartbeat. Track crew loaded the horse onto a van and the body was taken to the backstretch barn area.” River was four years old.
Nosbor, Jul 30, North Dakota Park R
“Nosbor snapped his right front leg during the gallop out. Jockey George Pineda heard a loud pop. Horse was able to limp onto the ambulance but was subsequently humanely destroyed back in the barn area.” “Loud pop, snapped leg” – not euthanized then and there? Nosbor was five years old.
What a contradiction in terms — “humanely destroyed”! There is nothing humane about the way these horses are treated when they’re forced to perform to the point of fatal injuries. These people are morally depraved to do what they do to horses and without a conscience.
Isn’t it a bit ironic that there are more details than usual about RIVER BISCUIT being euthanized and vanned off while dead, but there is nothing said about what her injuries were except, of course, that it was apparent immediately that her injuries were catastrophic…?