Through a FOIA request to the Washington Racing Commission, I have confirmed the following kills at Emerald Downs thus far this year.
Mirror Image, Mar 25, Emerald S
“Volvulus of the distal jejunum, cecal perforation.” This poor boy was 12 and had been raced an unconscionable 91 times – and yet they (primarily owner/trainer Valentin Garcia) weren’t done with him. Disgusting people, disgusting industry.
Business as Usual, May 9, Emerald T
“Traumatic fall: fractured skull, subsequent trauma to adjacent nasal and oral cavity [resulting in] epistaxis and oral hemorrhage.” Business was five.
Phantom Ride, May 10, Emerald T
“Catastrophic fetlock failure: [multiple] fractures, complete tearing of several tendons and ligaments.” Also: “osteochondral disease [both forelimbs].” And this: “Gross finding [of] multiple chronic gastric ulcers are common in performance horses, often associated with low-forage, high-grain diets; stress; intense exercise; NSAID usage; and/or prior gastric myiasis.” Phantom was six.
Diamond Dee, May 24, Emerald R
“Fractured skull – acute, comminuted, complete, with intracranial hemorrhage and slight internal displacement.” Then this: “The gastric ulcers appear chronic and are unlikely related to the cause of death.” Dee was five.
Higher Performance, Jun 26, Emerald R
“Open, comminuted MC3 fracture – multiple bone shards; skin, skeletal muscle, tendons, and associated fascia torn; distal aspect of the limb attached by an approximately 4-cm segment of skin and underlying soft tissue.” Higher was three.
