Over the course of just 5 days (Jul 4-10) at Ellis, 11 horses were scratched by the regulatory vet – i.e., their exploiters had every intention of racing them – for being “injured” or “unsound,” another 10 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:
“Ocean Ripple finished last and suffered a post-race heatstroke; Vet List.” The chart said temp was 85.
“Maroon Tide flipped and fell over behind the starting gate; scratched.”
“Kayla’s Komet was injured in the paddock; scratched.”
“Dr Fenn finished last, returned lame, and required the horse ambulance.” (The chart said nothing of this.)
“Epic Fashionista finished 11th, returned lame, and required the horse ambulance.” (The chart said nothing of this.)
And at Delaware Thursday, say the stewards, 3-year-old Verdant Tones “was heat stroking while walking back to the barn.” Conditions for that race: “hazy,” 82.
This, too, is horseracing.
The list of horses that flip out at the gate, injured in the paddock are commonplace nowadays and details are not provided as why these horses are endangered in places where they should be safe. There is a revolting history of “injured at the paddock”, “flipped at the gate”. Where are the details of what transpired that a horse would wind up injured and oftentimes dead. Is the cause inept gate crews, paddock judges who don’t know a horse from a donkey? What????There has to be a reason for all this carnage. Thugs who like to rough up horses? Mucksacks shaking up the horses on the way to the gate? The public has a right to know why these horses oftentimes become fatalities. It is incomprehensible as to why horses are horrifically injured and is dismissed as an injury occurring at the paddock or the gate. Unacceptable!!!!!