At Horseshoe in October: In addition to the 4 confirmed kills – Favorite Lady 123, Solo Venturi, Dark Rye, Speightsy Rival – and the 7 “vanned off,” 21 horses were scratched by the regulatory vet – i.e., their exploiters had every intention of racing them – for being “injured” or “unsound,” and another 5 by private vets for being “injured” or “ill.”
Also, say the stewards:
“Temple Paynter flipped and hit head in paddock, scratched.”
“Tiz Bayou flipped in gate, scratched.”
“Eyes On Andy scratched at gate lame.”
“San Valentina scratched at gate lame.”
“Hf Arkansas Dave flipped in gate, scratched.”
“Hurricane Beach flipped in gate, scratched.” (same race as above)
“True Silver J P flipped in paddock, scratched.”
Regarding the “multi-horse spill” on Oct 6 (our post with video): “After review, it was determined that Clear the Beach was at fault for clipping heals with Oh Please and causing the chain reaction spill.” Yes, it was the 4-year-old horse’s fault.
Martin Munoz was hit with an “excessive whip violation – whipped Nachor Secret 17 times from the 1/16 pole to the wire.” Not sure if this was a typo – could have been merely 7 lashes as opposed to 17. Regardless, it’s animal cruelty. Could have been worth it, though, for Nachor finished 3rd, “earning” $8,240.
Over the course of just 5 days (Oct 18-24) at Keeneland, 8 horses were scratched by the regulatory vet – i.e., their exploiters had every intention of racing them – for being “injured” or “unsound,” another 14 by private vets for being “injured” or “ill,” and 7 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.
Also, say the stewards:
“Wild Acclaim clipped heels, fell, DNF.”
“Sagamore returned lame and required the ambulance.” (Chart said nothing of this.)
“First of His Name returned lame and required the ambulance.”
“Don’t Fire Joe suffered physical distress and was pulled up.”
“Livvo returned lame and required the ambulance.”
“Hathaway was injured in the starting gate and scratched.”
“No Bien Ni Mal finished 7th and bled.”
Absolutely disgusting! This is straight up Animal Cruelty! This is absolutely NOT HORSEMANSHIP!
Disgusting!
No, the 17 hits is probably correct. Nachor Secret is a quarter horse, and they don’t fall under the HISA whip rules.
QH racing is notorious for the jockeys starting to hit the horses straight out of the gate all the way to the finish line, non-stop. I am actually surprised that they have penalties for hits.
There’s a saying in TB racing, “Quarter horse them out of the gate”, and it has much to do with starting to hit them right away and rush them up to the front.