Some recent whipping “violations” from the harness circuit…
Pocono, Jul 26: “Massive Matter was sent for post-race testing and it was noted by the State Vet that several welts appeared on [his] right rear. Driver Mike Polansky is fined $300.” $300, no suspension.
Plainridge, Aug 3: “Driver Brett Beckwith did leave welts on the horse Rifleman. As a result, Mr. Beckwith is hereby fined the sum of $300.” $300, no suspension.
In comparison to the above, at Ocean Aug 9 (under, by the way, “Major Penalties”), Shane Griffith was fined $500 for “using profane and abusive language towards a security guard,” which, they tell us, “is detrimental to the best interests of harness racing.”
“Welts”: $300. “Profane/abusive language”: $500. Sounds about right.
At Cumberland Jul 26, Wallace Watson was fined $200 for “excessive or indiscriminate use of the whip.” A few days later, same track, Watson was fined $500 for, you guessed it, “excessive or indiscriminate use of the whip.”
At Pocono Aug 3, Brandon Cruse was fined $200 for “excessive and indiscriminate use of the whip.” Four days later at Harrah’s, Cruse “did have an exaggerated whipping motion.” Fined $500. They added: “This is Mr. Cruse’s 7th whipping violation in 2026. Future violations will result in more severe penalties.”
Seven whipping violations this year alone did not meet the threshold for “more severe penalties”? (This, obviously, is not Cruse’s first mention on our site.)
And finally, Paul Cloer was fined $100 for “kicking a horse”; meanwhile, two others were fined the same amount for “talking on the race track.”
Wanda, the penalty for excessive whipping is not meant to be justice. Justice would be these horrid men strapped legs and arms, to a stupid little wagon, and being flogged while being made to go as fast as they can without running. Can you just picture it!?
Their idea of justice is an outrageous joke! Horseracing is Animal Cruelty!