Yesterday was a banner day for NYS racing. First, Vinovio, says the Gaming Commission, “broke down at the finish line” at Monticello and is dead. This poor boy was 13 years old. Bastards (primarily Ken Koch and Gregory Merton).
At Saratoga, no less than three horses required the ambulance to get off the track (the first two in the same race): Jackson’s Dixie, Shezanarticqueen, Starship Titan. Three others (again, at least) suffered “heat distress”: Until Last Call (his was called “severe”), Sir Walta, Deep Manhattan. The temp, says Equibase, hovered around 87, but I can tell you that oppressiveness-wise yesterday was one of the worst of the Capital Region summer.
In addition: Kings Landyn was “fractious in the gate, looked at by vet, and reloaded”; Beach Belle was “coaxed from the gate”; and then this before the 2nd:
What’s all fun and games to the heartless – “[young horses] are like Christmas lights” – is, at least to any rational, objective eye, animal abuse. Look at how they are yanking on the rein – which is, of course, attached to that instrument of torture: the bit.
The chart says this about the goings-on in the gate: Solo Stryker was “a bit fractious,” Monaco Crown “a bit rank,” and Parea “reluctant.” All three are but babies – two years old – and the one (Solo) “rearing up just in an obstinate way” was being put to the whip for the very first time (it was only the second race for the other two). My disdain for these people grows with each passing day.
As a postscript, even racing fans agree:
“Obstinate”? Hell yes. If I was that racehorse I would take that label as a supreme compliment. If all racehorses refused to load or run there would be no more racing. Funny how often with time our society comes to admire and idolize obstinate humans, such as those who stood up in the face of genecide. Yesterday’s obstinate Native American becomes today’s sports team’s mascot, revered for their fighting against all odds. Rage on racehorses. Be obstinate. Don’t go quietly.
With regard to weather, the heat index for riding combines temperature and humidity. For example, today at Saratoga the afternoon temp will be around 89° F with 52% humidity. This equals heat index of 141. Avoid riding when the heat index is above 130. The dew point is actually the best indicator of how difficult it is for sweat to evaporate on horses.
Below 60°F: Comfortable.
60–65°F: Moderate caution.
65–70°F: Horses may struggle to cool themselves during exercise.
70°F and above: High risk of overheating especially during strenuous work. Today’s dewpoint in Saratoga is 70.
Thanks for making this post about the cruelty to the horses in the starting gates.
If you own a horse, you can’t truly care about the horse’s health and wellness if you subject the horse to rough manhandling.
What makes the speaker in the video so sure the horse is not scared or upset?
It is standard procedure for gate crew to be rough with the horses because they have a schedule to keep for the gambling and the whole race card. This is their business. Being empathetic to the needs of the horses is not conducive to the “billions of dollars” they allegedly generate in tax revenue.
The horses are less than human slaves in the world of the rich and the sadistically dominant. Human slaves were considered 3/5 of a person and had no civil rights; no right to vote.