Through a FOIA request to the Illinois Racing Board, I have confirmed the following kills at that state’s tracks thus far this year. Please note that Illinois racing is hanging by a thread. Hawthorne is in bankruptcy and a winning bid was submitted by a non-racing entity. The harness operation there (Suburban Downs) has already shut down, and the Thoroughbred part is, as of today, also probably finished, which would leave only Fairmount in what was, at one time, a vibrant racing state. Progress, folks.
Spin the Boulevard, Mar 19, Fairmount T
“Found down in stall [after training], unable to rise, euthanized. The cause of morbidity is not grossly appreciated. There are various hemorrhages and edema throughout the musculature and subcutis of the back and face…but the locations in this case are dorsal near the spinal column as well as a large area on the dorsal aspect of the head. These may be due to the animal rolling and/or thrashing within his stall. Minimal degenerative joint disease is present in the fetlocks but not suspected to be the cause of immobility – these findings are not terribly uncommon to see in racing Thoroughbreds.” Spin was four.
Turnin Up Aces, Mar 23, Fairmount T
“Catastrophic breakdown during training: complete humerus fracture, extensive region of surrounding musculature lacerated and hemorrhagic.” Aces was two.
Julba, Mar 28, Fairmount T
“Catastrophic breakdown during exercise: severe, complete humerus fracture; intramuscular hemorrhage; traumatic laceration of the triceps muscle – muscle exposed.” Also: “lacerations and abrasions contaminated with dirt.” Julba had just turned three.
Faith Hope N Love, Apr 14, Fairmount R
“Sudden death after race: severe exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage.” Also: “The gastric ulcers were chronic and considered an incidental finding.” And: “The osteoarthritis within fetlock joints, while not related to the cause of death, may have affected physical performance.” Faith had just turned four.
Good Yegg, May 28, Hawthorne R
“[Multiple] fractures, [multiple] ruptures.” Also: “evidence of chronic osteoarthritis [both front limbs].” Yegg was nine.
FP Pony, Jun 29, Hawthorne S
“Colicky Saturday, Sunday worse, Monday worse, euthanized.” Final report: “several lipomas present in the mesentery and a stalk of one had wrapped around a segment of the jejunum, entrapping it.” At the time of his death, FP was being used as a “pony horse.”
