From the stewards at Turfway, covering three racedays, Jan 2-4:
“Whippoorwill was injured in the starting gate and scratched.”
“Gloriannia was injured in the paddock and scratched.”
“Keyser returned lame and required the ambulance.”
Also, the following horses were noted on the charts as being scratched by the regulatory vet, meaning their exploiters had every intention of racing them: Bird King – “unsound”; Inherent Powers – “unsound.” And the “claim” (sale) of Communication Memo was voided because he finished his race injured/unsound.
Then this ruling from New Jersey: “While driving #2 ‘It’s Miki’s World’ at the Meadowlands Dec 6, Ivan Llopez used the whip when his horse was not responding…and continued applying the whip when out of contention.” For this unambiguous act of egregious cruelty, Llopez was fined $1,000 and suspended just 10 days.
Then this at Santa Anita yesterday: “Mischievous Paddy got crowded between rivals early…dropped back to last on the turn, ridden out through the lane, then was exhausted following the race and used the equine ambulance to be transported off the track.”
This is horseracing.
No more! Horseracing needs to stop!
The list of crimes against race horses certainly suggests the paramount need to set up a separate judicial system to deal with the proliferating felonies that are killing horses and other animals with ineffable impunity. For example, today’s posting concerning the injury and harm done to Whippoorwill, injured in the starting gate – these injuries are almost a daily event (no specifics as to what occurred), also routine are horses being injured in the paddock. I want to know what transpired that a horse got injured whilst being saddled and is supposed to be in a safe area. How can a horse get seriously injured when walking in the tame activity of a paddock review? Why are essential details withheld??? What type of injuries did the horse suffer? No answers to these valid and primary questions?
What are the stewards doing in the Judges Stand? Apparently sitting in sloth and quite happy to take a paycheck for being dumb, useless, and contractually unobservant. And, what about the good citizens of the communities that have racetracks that are defiant of existing state and federal laws against felonies against animals? There are too many jockeys that have brutal dispositions that confirm the need for off track punishments and legal humiliations.
Society abolished corporal punishment against children recognizing the damage the victim suffers emotionally and physically. So why is it permissible for an a violent person to pay minor fines or get set down for a few days especially when that individual has a history of repeated fines and suspensions, but always returns to the saddle unrehabilitated, and is once again free to use the wickedness of a whip and vileness of temper on a helpless horse? Moreover the entire industry needs to be hauled into court and held accountable for failing to protect horses from harm and injury resulting in suffering and death, and additionally for (federal and state) flagrant violation(s) of active animal laws and protections.
Wildfires have been raging in California since January 7th.
Race days at Santa Anita racetrack were postponed due to the fire risk from the wind blowing red hot embers to Santa Anita racetrack and the bad air quality from the smoke. Some people decided to relocate their horses to another racetrack out of the fire and smoke danger zone.
Now this cruelty to horses by running them in races continues at Santa Anita while the wildfires are still not contained. What horsemen they are. Not!
Horse racing is inherently cruel and depraved anywhere it’s tolerated.
#HorseRacingIsAnimalCruelty
#EndHorseRacingNOW