Through a FOIA request to the New Jersey Racing Commission, I have confirmed the following kills at that state’s two remaining tracks thus far this year. As an aside, all eight kills at Monmouth came with this note: “Carcass removed from Rake Yard/Track Road.”
Diablo’s Mischief, May 11, Monmouth T
“Complete, displaced humerus fracture; extensive soft tissue hemorrhage with muscle tearing.” Also: “cartilage erosion [both hind limbs].” Diablo’s was but three years old.
J Willard, May 17, Monmouth R
“Multiple open [through the skin] fractures; complete dislocation of joint; sesamoidian ligament torn and frayed; superficial digital tendon completely ruptured.” Then this: “The ulcers in the stomach are considered incidental in this case.” J was four years old.
yet-to-be-named 2(or even 1)-year-old, May 20, Monmouth T
“Complete, comminuted tibia fracture.” Also: “osteochondral disease in fetlock; [multiple] cartilage erosions; chronic gastric ulcers.” And finally: “large number of adhered larval bots in stomach.” Again, this poor boy was so young he didn’t even have a name yet. Now go back and re-read what he suffered.
Social Love, May 22, Monmouth S
“Horse ataxic yesterday. Found down and unable to stand this morning. Euthanized.” Then this: “The soft tissue hemorrhages are consistent with trauma related to the peri-mortem injury.” Social was three years old and had last been raced Apr 27.
Rocky Seas, May 31, Monmouth T
“Horse flipped going off track – suffered head trauma, massive hemorrhage.” Rocky was five years old.
Marmaris, Jun 7, Monmouth R
“Collapsed on way to paddock, profuse blood from nostril. Cause not apparent.” They add: “The hemorrhage appreciated in the right ventral neck, left dorsal thorax, within the meninges of the brain, spinal cord, and nasal cavity, along with the fracture at the base of the skull are most likely traumatic in origin.” Marmaris was three years old.
Wild Princess, Jun 21, Monmouth R
“Fell: multiple [at least five] open fractures; severed suspensory.” Wild was three years old.
Missing Voucher, Jun 28, Monmouth T
“Suffered severe cannon fracture.” Missing was two and being prepped for his first race.
Charlton, Jun 30, Meadowlands T
“Heat stress/cardiac failure post-exercise.” Charlton was three years old.
And while this one was reported by the NJ Commission, the kill belongs to NY:
Shazam Blue Chip, Jul 7, Yonkers R (euth in NJ Jul 9)
“Comminuted fracture of pastern.” Shazam was seven years old.
RIP
Where do these people get off saying stupid shit like “cause not apparent” and then some other disturbing details topped off with the words “… along with the fracture at the base of the skull are most likely traumatic in origin.” This is their brilliant deduction of how a horse was killed…?!
These people should all be arrested for their diabolical and premeditated cruelty and daily routine abuse of horses.