Through a FOIA request to the Kentucky Racing Commission, I have confirmed the following kills at that state’s tracks thus far this year (because of the volume, I will be posting in installments).
open fracture: bone broke through the skin
comminuted fracture: bone shattered into multiple pieces
displaced fracture: bone snapped out of place
Centuria, Feb 22, Turfway R
“Pulled up with catastrophic injury – multiple displaced fractures palpated. Horse was sedated and loaded in ambulance.” From necropsy: “There are fractures of all of the carpal bones with exception of the accessory; cartilage and bone surrounding fracture site is acutely excoriated; multiple intercarpal ligaments are torn.” So, all that destruction and they still moved this poor girl, just three, rather than euthanize then and there.
Coal Burner, Mar 17, Turfway T
“Sudden death after training.” They add: “A cause of collapse and death could not be determined in this case.” Also: “focally-severe stomach ulceration.” Coal Burner was two years old and being prepped for his first race – “sudden death.”
yet-to-be-named 2(or even 1)-year-old, Apr 9, Keeneland T
“Complete, comminuted, displaced, spiral fracture of the femur with associated muscle tearing.” Again, so young he didn’t even have a name yet.
Darioush, Apr 29, Keeneland S
“Acute, open, comminuted fracture; large amount of hemorrhage.” Darioush had just turned four.
Dreaming of Lilies, May 30, Keeneland T
“Complete, displaced, comminuted humeral fracture; tearing of surrounding muscles.” Dreaming was three years old.
Dealing Justice, Jun 27, Churchill R
“Horse suffered catastrophic injury just before the wire: [multiple] fractures, severe soft-tissue damage with [multiple] ruptures and tears.” Also: “stomach ulceration.” Dealing was seven years old.
RIP