In the 6th race at Saratoga yesterday, says the chartwriter, Revivalism “came under coaxing at the 3/8, got placed to a protective hold and was eased up…then got pulled up soon after…and was attended to for a heat-related issue and subsequently transported off the course by equine ambulance.” Sky Masterson also was “attended to for a heat-related issue,” but apparently walked off (perhaps because the ambulance was in use?).
Living in the Saratoga area, I can tell you that yesterday was oppressive – temp in the 90s, high humidity. Now, imagine what the day was like for the horses. All that paraphernalia on their bodies – including the chunk of metal in their mouths that, regardless of the weather, make them feel like they’re suffocating when running at breakneck speeds – and all the while being whipped (the “coaxing” above). Animal cruelty defined.
In other news, the NYS Gaming Commission says Forward Motion was euthanized at Saratoga Harness Monday for “apparent colic.” He was three years old.
Right, Teresa, the racing industry press is claiming that racing has been made so safe since 2019 when so many horses were killed at Santa Anita Park and it was publicized on national TV. They claimed to have reduced the number of horse kills to where they (the morally depraved horse-killers who profit from this egregious cruelty) don’t even care how many horses are killed as long as they can somehow deceive the public and distort the public perception.
“Came under coaxing”?? That’s a new euphemism for beating the horse. And how can anyone allow them to run in this oppressive heat? I read an article today that the racing industry is alarmed and taking notice of what happened to the Olympic riders this year. They are worried about the public perception of equine sports and have hired someone to insure safety of the horses at the tracks….BS. We’ve heard that tired excuse so many times.
It’s hot today again sat most likely will be cancellations consider the horses running in 100 degrees
Not to mention- a lot of the racehorses are still running with lasix, so on top of the heat, the horses are also being dehydrated. So many of them are also already anxious, hyped up on drugs and supplements, and dripping in sweat. No wonder they develop arrhythmias, like afib. My area has also been disgustingly hot and humid – Thursday was a “feel like temp of 100”, and yet the local track still raced.
Monmouth closed today for heat. What happened to their “ocean breeze BS” in previous years?