In recent years, Montana has only held two six-day meets a year. This week, the second of those, Great Falls, announced that this year’s edition, scheduled for July, has been canceled. The reason: “Unexpected budget shortfalls left the club unable to cover the substantial operational expenses required to safely host the annual summer meet.”
Although “management plans to spend the upcoming year restructuring its finances” and is looking for “partnerships, sponsorships, and community donations” – yes, “community donations” – this could very well be the end for another track. This one would be particularly satisfying, for you see, the first of the Montana meets was Miles City, the scene for one of the more egregious abuse cases I’ve come across: Big Hearted Factor.
Speaking of BHF, this poor boy is scheduled to be raced in the 4th tomorrow at Energy Downs. If it happens, it will be his 108th time under the whip – and 5th in the month of May. In the necropsies, we see time and again 4-, 3-, even 2-year-old horses dying with osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease, sometimes in all four limbs. Imagine what the inside of this 11-year-old’s body looks like – and more important, feels like.
I reached out to my contact at the Wyoming Commission and received this reply: “I will forward on to the stewards at the racetrack right now for them to review.” That said, here are all the relevant contact numbers for “307 Horse Racing,” which runs Energy Downs. I would start with the director of racing, then the racing office. The race is scheduled for tomorrow at 2:45 mountain, so if in the east, you have until 4:00 or so.
Under the entries and results it’s showing Big Hearted Factor was last of the 5 running. Now whether he made it on all fours is in question. I’m unable to get that information.
Is there anyone who can claim him for $3,500 and give him the retirement that he deserves?
The claiming price for BIG HEARTED FACTOR (and each of the other four horses entered in race #4) is $3,500. Wouldn’t it be fantastic if someone could claim him and give him the retirement he deserves?!