These rulings speak for themselves:
Running Aces, Sep 3: “The Marshal was sent for post-race testing and it was noted by the State Vet that welts appeared on the right rear of [horse]. Driver Luke Plano is hereby fined $500 and issued a 3-day suspension.” They added: “This is Plano’s first offense of this nature in 2026 at Running Aces.”
Well, it didn’t take long for Plano to notch his second. This from the Judge’s Daily Report (the above came from the USTA), same day, eight races later: “After the finish, Tjb Secreharriet was sent to the test barn where Dr. Taylor noticed welts on the right rear.” Yes, folks, this scumbag left multiple welts on two horses on the same day. I don’t have a ruling on the second one yet, but it will no doubt be but a wristslap.
Three days later at Running Aces, this: “Driver Casey Leonard summoned to Judge’s Office [because] Flickadawrist was observed having numerous welts on the right rear flank.” No ruling on this one yet either, but it may have been worth it: Flickadawrist “won.”
Harrington, Sep 8: “While driving Lou’s Lucky Girl, Mike Cole did leave welts on the horse. Mike Cole is issued a $300 fine for this first offense.”
In contrast to these unequivocal incidents of animal cruelty and the ensuing “punishments” that were meted out, consider what Case Bateson did at The Meadows Aug 26 and how it was adjudicated: “Near the 3/4, Mr. Bateson drove in a careless manner and used his whip in a reckless manner striking the driver of another horse across the back. Mr. Bateson is issued a $2,000 fine and a 14-day suspension.” We won’t tolerate hitting your fellow abusers, but as for leaving welts on the horses…
And finally, this chart note from Sweetwater Sunday: “She’s a Sure Bet…ducked in sharply from a right hand whip, going through the inside rail.” My translation: This poor girl, just two, went through the rail trying to get away from being hit. The same abuser, Roman Romero, was aboard She’s a Sure Bet in her most previous race, Aug 30, when she finished dead last of 10, 42 lengths back. In fact, in four total races going into Sunday, she finished a combined 125 lengths back. Imagine that. Owner: Tabitha Martinez.
For anybody that’s ever been around horses, as in having a Shetland pony for the first 28 years of my life plus being around many other ponies as well as horses for many years, I know without exception that equines are especially sensitive in the flanks.
For anybody to whip a horse in harness on their flanks is egregiously sadistic mistreatment of a horse!!!!!
These sadistic horse-abusing people should not be allowed to be anywhere near horses let alone be allowed to “make a living” whipping horses relentlessly!
Thank God for Tripadvisor to make a stand against horse racing because it is horse abuse!