An 81-year-old private vet and 13 trainers based at Penn National have been accused by the PA Racing Commission and HISA of conspiring to administer intra-articular injections to the joints of more than 100 different horses within the prohibited periods ahead of races or training sessions from May ’23 through Nov ’24. Apparently, after injection, 30% of the horses never raced again – “strongly suggesting these injections were used to mask pain,” says HISA – 10% came back lame, and no fewer than seven died in the race that followed or in a race or training session shortly thereafter.
For his part, the veterinarian, Dr. Allen Post Bonnell, said this in a BloodHorse article: “I love these animals; I love horses. I would never give horses anything illegal. These are permitted medications, and they caught me injecting a knee – I could see where that would call for a punishment but not on the level of what they’re looking to do.” The article goes on: “Bonnell…said because of restrictions on injections, many races are not filling” and “that while he’s not especially fond of administering injections, he was doing his job and helping horses with the hyaluronic acid and flumethasone he was administering.”
According to the PA Commission, “Dr. Bonnell informed investigators that trainers will request his services for intra-articular injections because they know he will not report them as required, allowing them to run their horses during the time they should have been placed on the veterinarians list. Investigators inquired if he charges extra for not reporting intra-articular injections and he advised he just charges a standard rate of $50.”
Thus far, only four of the trainers have been named: Kimberly Graci, Bonnie Lucas, Marlin Arthur “Joe” Miller, and Javier Morzan. Graci was prominently mentioned in the PA report: “Dr. Bonnell was finally forthright with investigators and admitted that Ms. Graci told him to use a different horse’s name if he reported the injection. Investigators inquired why he wouldn’t report this injection as required and he advised that Ms. Graci asked him not to report it so the horse would be able to race later that week.”
According to investigators, one of the Graci horses, Zoomer, had all four knee and hock joints shot up in October. Zoomer’s last race for Graci was Oct 4 at Delaware (while all injections happened at Penn, the 100+ victims were raced at multiple tracks in multiple states). But as of Jan 3, Zoomer, who will turn 9 tomorrow, was still active: racing at Penn, he finished 9th for trainer Anthony Aquirre. Horrible animal abusers, all. I will update.
Wee Sherry don`t leave this blog. I appreciate your different points of view.Sometimes on these blogs its best to ignore others comments. We have had to do that on several other sites.
Penn National & Parx Should Have Closed Down Last Year!
Hopefully, 2025/2026!
Patrick, you have closed comments where Wanda took a wrong interpretation on my submission so I have to intrude on this post to inform you and Wanda, that your postings are not concentrating on saving horses, but allowing comments to be deliberately twisted as to inspire offense and perhaps dissension.
Wanda’s most recent vinegar is unacceptable for its attempt to cause deliberate debate. I have my own responsibilities as a Christian to pursue justice for horses and I will not waver in my commitment to gain them justice. Therefore, Wanda can find another victim to pursue, I am pursuing solo effort on behalf of horses rather than waste time straightening out Wanda’s outbursts. I will pray that your efforts for horses will succeed and that those who are opposed to reading a quote from a saint will find the road to eternal happiness with every speed. May God richly Bless you all.
Here is Wanda’s comments – How can anyone find it a comfort to think that the racing of horses and the subsequent killing associated with this ruthless industry won’t stop until there are no more horses??? The laws should be enforced but the laws regarding Animal Welfare are ignored by the California Horse Racing Board and any other state that has laws against Animal Cruelty when it comes to racing. If or when horses become extinct, I will not have “comfort”.
Apparently Wanda didn’t read my post to the Louisiana Governor and I most certainly do not advocate the extinction of horses….perhaps reading glasses will help, but in any case she has inspired me to move on and do my efforts without negativity from the peanut gallery.
Forgot to add Molly many people are saying in the racing pub. that we read that Gulf Stream will quite likely close within 3 years if the track does has the casino decoupling enacted by law.
Dom`t worry Molly from all that we have read Santa Anita`s property is worth so much $$ because of its location many people have said its just a matter of a few years. The track will be redeveloped as another of 1/st properties as, our old track Portland Meadows has been to an Amazon warehouse distribution / office center.
“Dr.” Bonnell should have his license revoked. He knew full well what he was doing and what would happen to those horses. And, no, he does not love horses.
Close Down Gulfstream Park – Top Drug Trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. Plus Lots Of Other Trainers!
2026/2027 ASAP!
Close Down Santa Anita Park – Top Drug Trainer Bob Baffert Plus Lots Of Other Trainers!
2026/2027 ASAP!
We have ridden horses that were injected in the left front carpal joint, twice. All these injections should be illegal for any horses to be ridden anywhere! Poor 5 year old Rocky who we rode many times would be sound enough to pass pre-race inspection but only after a few gallops would become dead lame at a walk on his left front foreleg. Not surprised about HISA. My state of Oregon does not even participate in HISA! The owners/trainers don`t want the added expense of testing. Have no idea on some of the many horses we rode at the 1/2 mile bull ring tracks what they were injected with. One particular horse we rode in 1983 was hardly able to walk let alone gallop one day & the next we could hardly able to handle him! The owner just laughed & said he “livened” him up a little.
When a filthy lawbreaking so and so whines that what they did to the horses doesn’t deserve the so-called punishment they get, it makes me want to just beat the ******* crap out of them so they don’t have to wonder what they’re punishment was; they’ll know it.
Seems the vet would have been especially fond of administering those injections given they helped the horses he loves…POS scum.
Just look how HISA’s presence has put the fear of God into these trainers – sorry, sarcasm. Truth be told, it’s very apparent it’s business as usual for racing – the meager punishment handed down to the abusers (who are caught) is so worth breaking racing’s “rules”, further crippling and killing their horses in the process.