The CHRB says that West of the Valley died at Cal Expo Wednesday, no details yet. (Note: I think the name may be a misspelling. Regardless, another dead racehorse.)
Then this out of Nevada: During the ultra-short (six days) Elko Park meet last summer, trainer Alvaro Torres was busted for a drug positive on his horse The Saime Pro (the winner gets mandatory testing). But not just any drug, mind you, for you see the 3-year-old was hopped up on cocaine. Yes, cocaine. The stewards were only allowed to levy a maximum $1,000 fine and suspend Torres for six months. The new development has this being taken up by the Gaming Commission later this month, with a recommendation for an additional $4,000 and revocation of his license for at least five years. I will update.
By the way, that cocaine-infused race on Aug 24 was The Saime Pro’s third under Torres and owner Valentin Gutierrez in a two-week period. And get this, he was raced again – presumably before the positive came back – Sep 1 (he also “won” that one). That’s four races in three weeks. Animal abusers – even without the cocaine.
All good questions, Wanda. Unfortunately there will never be any answers because racing is not accountable to anyone. It polices itself and acts as judge and jury.
These criminals should be prosecuted in a court of law for drug possession, animal cruelty and theft.
And running the poor immature horse into the ground is perfectly legal and approved of by this entity while it tasks itself with meting out “justice” to criminals!
Only in horse racing!!
I’m not surprised, though I’m still livid!
Wanda, In my state, Oregon unregulated races are only to common during our dry season of late spring & simmer early fall. We have ridden in them in past years.Usually 1/4 mile affairs or 1/2 mile bull ring type courses attended by a certain group of people.My past neighbor has attended them which worried us tremendously at the time. Most of the participants are drunk. Even the riders. Since these events are highly secretive many people have no idea they occur.
Two horses with Juan C. Vazquez as trainer were entered in Race 7 and Race 8 at Keeneland for April 9, 2025 but both horses are listed as Scratched from their respective entries, KAKAO from Race 7 and Z DANCER from Race 8.
So I am hoping that all the phone calls and emails to Keeneland did influence the Keeneland management to make the decision to scratch the entries with Juan C. Vazquez as trainer and that the two horses were not injured in some way.
Alvaro Torres and Valentin Gutierrez should be in jail for their crimes against the horse and against humanity.
They sound like they were hell bent on running THE SAIME PRO to literal death in the pursuit of winning the most money in purses.
Where is the horse now?
Are they running him in unregulated races?
Is THE SAIME PRO alive or dead now?