(note: all emphases mine)
In harness world, we previously reported this: “Larry Stalbaum is fined $250 for failure to report that the horse [9-year-old Fond Memories A] was nerved prior to it being declared to race.” Update: “Mr. Stalbaum has paid the $250 fine and is restored to good standing.” Yes, “restored to good standing.”
Running Aces, Aug 12: “Nick Roland is hereby suspended from driving beginning on Aug 20. He committed acts which were not in the best interest of racing on several occasions – welting horses. The suspension shall continue until a hearing is held on the merits of the violations.” Given the ruling, it should come as no surprise that this is not the first time this scumbag has appeared on our site.
Red Mile, Aug 19: “Mike Murphy did act in an unprofessional manner after Heknowsallthetrix was scratched by the State Vet due to concerns of lameness. Mr. Murphy apologized for his actions which have mitigated the penalty.” Fined $100.
Harrington, Aug 20: “Justin Vincent did fail the breathalyzer. Mr. Vincent was removed from his drive and excused from the grounds. Mr. Vincent is issued a warning. Additional violations of this nature will be given a fine and/or suspension.” A drunk (harness) driver. Enough said. Vincent, too, has appeared here before: “visible whip marks.”
And among the week’s many excessive-whipping violations, these:
Running Aces, Aug 24: “Aaron Lehman was the driver of Ponda Hawk. When sent to the test barn, it was noted by the State Vet that multiple marks were left on the rear of Ponda Hawk.” Fined $500, suspended 3 days.
Plainridge, Aug 25: “Driver Mitchell Cushing [below] was observed using his whip [on Price Control] in an excessive manner while repeatedly failing to pause after three strikes.” Fined $250, suspended 1 day.
And for good measure, I decided to add the following because it involves the poster boy for whipping abuse.
Hoosier, Aug 19: “While driving [2-year-old] Karlee Grace, Jordan Ross used more than minimal wrist and elbow action behind the gate before the start.” Fined $200. Read all about Mr. Ross here.
Back to the Thoroughbreds: Over just four days at Ellis (Aug 18-24), 4 horses were scratched by the regulatory vet (i.e., their exploiters had every intention of racing them) for being “unsound/injured” and another 10 by private vets for either “illness” or “injury.” In addition, 3 horses who were “claimed” (bought) prior to races were subsequently returned to their sellers because they finished said races unsound/injured.
At Delaware, these from the stewards:
Aug 23: Two horses – Seven’s Magic, Eimear – were scratched by the regulatory vet for being “lame in the post parade.”
Aug 27: Two claims – Awesome Prince, Swifty Devil – “were voided by the Test Barn Vet for unsoundness.”
Aug 30: One claim – Dunphy – “was voided by the Test Barn Vet for unsoundness.”
This, every single day, is horseracing.
These people shouldn’t be allowed to be around horses or any other animal!
It`s sad that a good mare & her foals life is a roll of the dice. Glad to see you covering the Standardbreds racing Patrick. All of racing is abusive no matter what kind of animal dogs or horses. How could anybody have a young foal with its dam have a chance of being slaughtered! All slaughter & shipping out of US should be outlawed. Pass the SAFE act legislators!
O’Dwyer Horses in Bowie, Texas has a 17-year-old Standardbred Mare and her 3-month-old Colt at side available to purchase for $1,680 now. The ship to slaughter date is 9/10/25, but not all of the horses he offers ship on the listed date. It’s a roll of the dice.
Jordan Ross should be charged with Animal Cruelty and put in jail. The same is true for all of the other horse-abusers mentioned above.
It is worse than sickening when so many people can abuse horses and pay a minimal fine of a few hundred dollars and maybe a day or two or three of suspension and then back to being a horse abuser — business as usual.
Horseracing is one sick and dysfunctional industry. People who gamble on horses to win, place, or show add fuel to the fire. In this inhumane so-called sport, some of the worst offenders are put on a pedestal as though they were some type of god. This is an abomination!