In the 4th race Saturday at Emerald, A Ryder’s Trick, said the chartwriter, “took a bad step, fell” and was eventually “transported off via ambulance.” Shesayshello “was unable to avoid the fallen horse and fell over him [sic: both horses are/were girls].” This clip only captures A Ryder’s fall. Noteworthy, too, is the announcer utterly ignoring two downed horses (he only mentions Toodle Loo being “taken up sharply”) and then calling the finish with unbridled excitement. Oh, and of course the “Winner’s Circle” carried on.
Same day at Horseshoe: While the chart for Lets Get After It (#4) and Apollitical Speed (#9) only said “stumbled, fell early” and “stumbled badly, lost rider,” respectively, judging by the replay I’d be surprised if either two-year-old survived.
(We will of course learn the fates of all four horses soon enough.)
Agreed Wanda. Emerald`s announcer sounds just like the old used car barkers of many years ago, cold & detached from the carnage unfolding right in front of him! Let`s hope the poor economics close Emerald like what happened to Portland Meadows in 2019.
The track announcer at Emerald Downs sounds like a furniture salesman doing a TV commercial. He sounds completely desensitized to the carnage!
I got the distinct impression from the article about Emerald Downs not being able to pay the fees required by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority that Emerald Downs will be closing for business in 2026. I hope there is no chance of them pulling a rabbit out of a hat so to speak.
Horseshoe #4 will take a miracle. Everyday a nightmare in this business. There were numerous comments on HRN about Ortiz fall which weren’t complimentary. Sad sad sad. What is it going to take people?
Oh! That poor #4 horse!! Such a terrific hindquarter breakdown. We have been told many years ago by an older experienced horseman that” Emerald is too hard on horses & has to high a breakdown rate”. We hope that the expenses of tracks operations will put an end to this cruelty to horses. Whoever supplied the video we appreciate being able to see it & reminding us why we left the racing industry. Portland Meadows also would have these catastrophic injuries usually towards the end of their meet just as Emerald is coming to the end of this years meet. Hopefully Emerald will not operate next year due to high costs of operations.