I have confirmed that Dynastys Third Sign, an “injured, DNF” in the 9th at Eureka Sunday, is indeed dead. This poor girl was just two. The complicit: Thomas Scheckel, Fernando Ivan Manriquez, Edwin Escobedo. Eureka, as I relayed (with, I might add, a prescient title), has just returned after a 16-year hiatus, and this was but its fourth raceday.
The NYS Gaming Commission has only now disclosed the death of Speed Walking at Finger Lakes Sep 17: “unresolved neurologic symptoms necessitating euthanasia.” She was three years old. Chief exploiter: Anthony Ferraro.
Over the course of just 4 days (Oct 14-17) at Keeneland, 15 horses were scratched by the regulatory vet – i.e., their exploiters had every intention of racing them – for being “injured” or “unsound,” another 13 by private vets for being “injured” or “ill,” and 6 horses who were “claimed” (bought) prior to races were subsequently returned to their sellers because they finished said races physically compromised in one way or another.
In addition, say the stewards:
“Crown of Violence was injured in the starting gate and scratched.”
“Okefenokee, the winner, returned lame and required the ambulance.” (Chart said nothing of this.)
Then this: “Mussume was fractious in the post parade and unseated his [the he is actually a she] rider, who then refused the mount. Horse was returned to paddock for a rider change.” Mussume is just two, and this was her very first race. Quite a way to start, huh?
This is idiocy beyond what should ever be allowed.