Through a FOIA request to the New Jersey Racing Commission, I have confirmed the following kills at that state’s tracks last year (this is part 2; part 1 here). Pay particular attention to the osteoarthritis (not to mention gastric ulceration) in these dead babies. This speaks to the early, intensive grinding their unformed bodies were forced to absorb.
Always and Again, Jan 17, Magical Acres Training Center T
“Suddenly pulled up, collapsed, and died – unknown cause.” Always was six years old.
Ic A Free Spirit, Mar 31, Winners Training Center T
“Catastrophic comminuted P1 fracture.” Ic was nine years old.
Classic Landing, Jul 14, Meadowlands R
“Sudden death after the finish – rupture of the left pulmonary artery with severe hemorrhage.” Classic was two years old.
Dreaming of Toga, Jul 22, Monmouth R
“[Multiple] complete, displaced fractures; [multiple] torn ligaments.” Also: “osteochondral disease [both forelimbs].” Dreaming was three years old.
Cupids Payday, Jul 28, Monmouth R
“[Multiple] fractures.” Also: “severe, widespread ulcerative and erosive osteoarthritis.” Cupids was three years old.
Zelenskyy Strong, Jul 30, Monmouth R
“[Multiple] compound, comminuted fractures – P1 protrudes with severe hemorrhage and soft-tissue damage.” Also, both front limbs: “widespread osteoarthritis, severe synovitis, fibrosis.” And: “extensive, chronic gastric ulceration.” Zelenskyy was three years old.
Grace and Pearl, Aug 13, Monmouth T
“Multiple complete, displaced, severely comminuted (greater than 15 fragments) bi-articular fractures.” Grace was two years old and being prepped for her first race.
Sugar Sin, Aug 19, Monmouth T
“Shattered MCIII, severe soft-tissue damage.” Also: “chronic osteoarthritis and synovitis; severe, chronic ulcerative gastritis.” Sugar was three years old.
Annika Gold, Sep 6, Monmouth S
“Upon arrival Sep 4, mare was non-weight-bearing. Suspect pelvis fracture.” Annika was nine years old and had been put to the whip 71 times, most recently Aug 30.
Aguila Real, Sep 21, Monmouth T
“Open, comminuted, complete pastern fracture.” Also: “palmar osteochondral disease [leg that broke].” Aguila was two years old.
Always a Shark, Oct 3, Crystal Brooks Training Center T
“[Injured], euthanized due to grave prognosis.” Always was nine years old.
Crazy Beauty Amaze Me, Oct 11, Big Z Training Center S
“EHV-1.” Crazy was three years old.
Wow- Zelenskyy Strong’s chart just says vanned off. That poor horse’s leg was demolished. Though I wouldn’t be surprised they did van him that way.
There was an article written not too long after he broke down about how his trainer has had a large amount of breakdowns, and in fact, he had one of the most prominent breakdowns of the year, that of New York Thunder, on national TV.