Through a FOIA request to the Oklahoma Racing Commission, I have confirmed the following kills at Remington last year. Because of the volume, I am posting in installments (previous ones, and also reports for Fair Meadows and Will Rogers, can be found here).
(Please note how the Remington chartwriter is utterly covering up the carnage there. Please also note that six horses were killed racing at Remington over the span of just five racedays in May. But horseracing is getting safer, right?)
Beckett’s Luckyday, Apr 23, Remington S
“Acute death: severe (approximately 360-degree) mesenteric torsion.” Also: “acute, chronic gastric ulcers.” Beckett’s was four years old and had last been raced Apr 10.
The Mastersmith, Apr 23, Remington R
“Complete, transverse fracture through the body of the fused sacral vertebrae.” The Mastersmith was two years old, and this was his second race. The chart merely said, “broke stride midway.”
Fast N Fancee, Apr 27, Remington R
“Numerous complete, comminuted fractures forming multiple bone fragments.” Also: “chronic rib fracture with callus formation; suspected abscess at base of ear.” Fast was two years old. The chart merely said, “bad step at wire.”
Blue, Apr 28, Remington S
“Septic shock is considered the most likely cause of death in this case. The multisystemic abscesses are chronic and likely incidental.” Blue was 15 years old.
Inthe Twinkle of Ani, May 12, Remington R
“Horse hit the rail: severe, comminuted humerus fracture – the proximal 1/3 is split in two, the middle 1/3 is comprised of numerous fragments, some of which are embedded within the marrow cavity.” Also: “chronic gastric ulcers.” Inthe was two years old, and this was her second race. The chart merely said, “jumped shadow late.”
Pearl Hart, May 12, Remington R
“[Multiple] severe, complete, comminuted fractures.” Pearl was two years old. The chart merely said, “class showed” (she had “won” the race).
Dashin Woman, May 13, Remington R
“Severe, acute slab fractures with innumerable chip fractures along the margins.” Also: “acute ulcers.” Dashin was two years old. The chart merely said, “bumped, good bid.”
Another Nymph, May 14, Remington R
“Severe, acute, complete, comminuted fractures with soft-tissue maceration.” Also: “innumerable ulcers.” Another was three years old. The chart merely said, “no threat.”
Runaway Cowgirl 123, May 15, Remington R
“In the right carpus, the radial bone is fractured, creating four pieces, and the third carpal bone is fractured with one complete and one incomplete fracture. In the left carpus, the radial bone is fractured into innumerable fragments.” That’s two broken legs. Runaway was two years old, and this was her second race. The chart merely said, “chased runaway.”
Dash for Bling, May 18, Remington R
“Both kidneys: severe, acute hemorrhages with rupture.” It is not clear what caused this, but the necropsy goes on to note the following: “The abdominal cavity contains approximately 500 ml of watery blood. Approximately 300 ml of similar fluid fills the pericardial sac. When the left eyeball is removed, the cavity readily fills with this same fluid.” Dash was five years old. The chart merely said, “geared down early.”
This list of injuries to these mostly young horses reads like a list of injuries from a war zone or multi-vehicle wreck! Appalling that such injuries to such gentle & sentient beings.
So much for ‘truth in reporting’ as far as the chartwriters go. It seems like the laws regarding ‘false advertising and misrepresentation’ should apply to the chartwriters in this industry of egregious cruelty to horses.