From Will Rogers Monday: “Okie Clipper fell approaching the far turn then was transported off the track via ambulance.” Bad enough, and most likely fatal (we’ll know for sure with our FOIA), but then there’s this:
“Lemon Drop Shot clipped a fallen foe approaching the far turn….”
“Shouldaboughtdabar faded before trampling a fallen foe approaching the far turn….”
Probably killed – but “clipped” and “trampled” on the way out. The horror. (There was no replay, by the way.)
In last week’s harness rulings…
Northfield, Jan 21: “Justin Irvine whipped the horse [Kandy Sweet] after the finish. Mr. Irvine is hereby fined $500 [but] the penalty will be reduced to $300 if not appealed.” (Irvine is no stranger to this site – “welts”; “offensive and profane language.”)
Miami Valley, Feb 2: “While driving Rockinpoppin, Tyler Smith did excessively use the whip…. Mr. Smith is fined $500 [but] the penalty will be reduced to $300 if not appealed.” (Smith is no stranger to this site – “kicking horses”; “kicking horses.”)
Miami Valley, Feb 3: “Carson Conrad did whip the horse [I’ma Chic Magnet] while out of contention. Mr. Conrad is fined $500 [but] the penalty will be reduced to $300 if not appealed.” (Conrad is no stranger to this site – “welts”; excessive whipping.)
Dover, Feb 4: “Brandon Cruse did use the whip excessively while the horse [River Of Fear] was out of contention. Mr. Cruse was issued a $200 fine.”
And finally, at Charles Town last night, this note for 3-year-old Cantyoustoptheking: “very fractious loading into the gate, [then] hit gate when the bell rung.”
In “hitting the gate,” there must have been at least some amount of pain, but, of course, this poor boy was raced anyway (finished 6th, “never threatened”). Vile.
The penalties should be much higher but racing will remain a very cruel so-called sport. Forcing horses to be racing slaves is Animal Cruelty.
The need for drugs that kill pain in various parts of the bodies of horses used as gambling chips will always be a very clear indicator of horses being abused in a general sense.
In this despicable industry of exploiting horses, these vile people don’t care that horses suffer immense pain from what is demanded from horses as gambling chips. If they cared, they would walk away and stop their participation in this Animal Cruelty.
We`re glad to see your including harness horses too. They are equally abused in racing. We have handled Standardbred stallions who were most kind & gentle to work with. Those people who whip horses deserve to have much higher penalties!