Over the course of just 5 days (Jun 24-28) at Churchill, 9 horses were scratched by the regulatory vet – i.e., their exploiters had every intention of racing them – for being “injured” or “unsound,” another 7 by private vets for being “injured” or “ill,” and 4 horses who were “claimed” (bought) prior to races were subsequently returned to their sellers because they finished said races physically compromised in one way or another.
In addition, say the stewards:
“Special Caliber returned lame.”
“Bourbon Story finished 5th and suffered a post-race heatstroke; placed on Vet List.”
“During the post parade, a lead pony was injured and required the horse ambulance.”
And at Delaware Park:
Jun 24: “Stogie Joe flipped in paddock, injured.”
Jul 1: “Montauk Point was treated after race for heat-related issues.” The temp that day was 94 degrees.
Jul 8: “Ada May flipped in starting gate and was injured.”
Fred and Joan, DESIGNATED RUNNER was the #3 horse in the last race, Race #8, on Saturday, July 11, 2026. She is last on the list of Also Rans on Horse Racing Nation. So she could be dead, but if alive, not in good shape.
The solution is to file a citizen’s complaint with the local Sheriff’s Office, or animal control. Record date, time of incident observed, description of horse, color, identifying markings, and the name of the horse(s) involved, injuries that resulted, etc. There is exigent need to bring communities into moral duty to protect and defend horses from crimes of drugs, whippings, beatings in the stall, and the other vicious activities imposed on them mentally and physically. It is up to average citizens to do the energy and file the complaints. The entire state needs a morals test if the people refuse to intervene to save horses. The press in Oregon needs a reminder of their responsibility to bulwark compassion and justice not only for humans, but for the voiceless creatures that cannot speak or defend themselves from vicious criminals. Would the state allow drug dealers to drug a 2 year old children in day care? Of course not, but they are blind, deaf and dumb when a 2 year old colt or filly is filled to the gut with drugs. North America is literally going down the gutter because of human cowardice. Don’t get involved – in 1836 Texans remembered the Alamo, when will this generation wake up to realize the entire world needs rescue…if we don’t rescue animals we certainly won’t rescue our neighbor so who will rescue the indifferent?
There is a specific group on Facebook offering Thoroughbreds that were raced at Emerald Downs for sale to people who will not use them for racing. The owners are wanting these specific horses to be completely retired from racing. So far the ones I have seen pictured do not show obvious injuries. They look like they could be trained for some other type of riding. I got the impression that these particular horses are most likely not going to be in the winner’s circle at the racetrack very often if at all, such as “raced three times and never placed” for example.
We just saw #3 at Emerald break down in the last race right out of the gate! Poor young 3 year old filly! I really hope Emerald disappears because of declining handle. We know the breeders as they are from Oregon only a few miles away from us outside of Salem, Oregon. Sad, sad,sad.
Unfortunately many states are unregulated such as Oregon,Montana,Wyoming etc. These states are notorious for abuses & illegal procedures & poor treatment of horses. That poor pony horse! The pony/outrider horses are so over used! Many are not fast enough for racing competitively so end up being abused as pony & out rider horses. we have seen many horses we had taught to be ridden that ended up as pony horses traveling all over Oregon & living a hard live.
This is routine mistreatment of horses. People need to stop looking the other way when they see the cruelty to the horses. So much of this cruelty should be punished by law, and not just slap-on-the-wrist punishments.
I know it’s easier said than done but legislation needs to be passed to recognize the inhumane treatment of horses for racing and gambling. So many of the participants in this routine abuse of horses should be in jail. Repeat offenders should not be free to go abuse horses in another state or at unregulated racetracks.