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Through a FOIA request to the New Jersey Racing Commission, I have confirmed the following kills at that state’s tracks in 2020.

please note:
As with many other states, this is surely an underreporting by the Commission – e.g., only two stall deaths, just a single harness death, etc.

Almost every report came with this: “Carcass Removed By M & S Pet Removal.” From “majestic athletes” to “carcasses.”

Constitutional Pal, Jul 4, Monmouth R – “[multiple] complete, displaced fractures; ulceration and dissection of the articular cartilage from the subchondral bone”

Ilchester Cheetah, Jul 11, Monmouth R – “sudden death: rupture of arterial tree in right lung that resulted in pulmonary laceration and hemorrhage” (three years old)

Jonimarie, Jul 23, Monmouth S – “acute cardiovascular collapse” (five years old, scheduled to race next day)

Gin and Platonic, Aug 1, Monmouth R – “dropped dead: rupture of arterial tree right lung with laceration and intrathoracic hemorrhage” (three years old)

Withholder, Aug 2, Monmouth T – “pulled up lame, collapsed into hypovolemic shock – pelvic fracture with severe and extensive soft tissue hemorrhage” (two years old)

Tony, Aug 15, Monmouth R (euthanized Aug 23) – “[multiple] fractures, severe and extensive soft tissue hemorrhage”

Giant Rose, Aug 17, Monmouth S – “acute laminitis both front feet; started Aug 10 [two days after last race]”

Painted Image, Aug 22, Monmouth R – “partial tear suspensory ligament, severe soft tissue hemorrhage”

Our Americanbeauty, Aug 27, Monmouth T – “complete humerus fracture”

Eve’s Medal, Sep 20, Monmouth T – “dropped dead: aortic rupture, hemorrhage into the thoracic cavity” (three years old)

Evil Monkey, Oct 1, Monmouth T – “fractured pelvis”

Rubenslegacy, Oct 4, Monmouth T – “complete, comminuted P1 fracture”

Cinnamon Latte, Oct 14, Monmouth R – “complete rupture [multiple] ligaments, massive and extensive soft tissue hemorrhage”

Octane Blue Chip, Dec 26, Meadowlands R – “sudden death: aortic rupture, additional hemorrhage in lungs and thoracic cavity” (six year old)

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Through a FOIA request to the Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission, I have confirmed the following kills at that state’s tracks in 2020.

Df Fabulous Georgia, Mar 18, Remington T – “spinal canal fracture” (two years old)

Baddowndasher, Mar 19, Remington R – “horse collapsed – severed spinal cord”

Fantasy First Down, Mar 21, Remington S – “suffered severe head trauma while tied to gate” (note: not euthanized, just died)

Win in the Willow, Mar 23, Will Rogers T – “cardiac, [died]” (final 5 races: 4 lasts, 1 second-to-last; combined 108 lengths back)

Might B Magic, Mar 28, Remington R – “lacerated tendon”

Hot Pyc Chic, Apr 2, Remington S (euthanized Apr 4) – “flipped, severe head trauma” (note: not euthanized, just died)

Miss Capi Went South, Apr 3, Remington R – “carpal fracture”

King Mi, Apr 17, Remington R – “fractured pelvis”

Zilker, Apr 18, Will Rogers T – “collapsed, [died]”

Splashing Eagle, Apr 29, Remington T – “knee fracture”

Tt Topper, May 5, Remington S – “colic” (note: not euthanized, just died)

Bdb Macs Dynasty, May 16, Remington R – “scapula fracture” (two years old, first race)

Quiet Spring, May 18, Will Rogers R – “sesamoid fracture”

My Legacy, May 18, Will Rogers R – “slab fracture”

Lonemire, May 21, Remington R (euthanized May 22) – “knee fracture”

Spring d’Oro, Jun 6, Fair Meadows T – “slab fracture”

Kiss My Bling, Jun 9, Fair Meadows R – “acute exsanguination after showing signs of distress” (she bled out)

Luneaction, Jun 9, Fair Meadows R – “slab fracture”

Cheers and Prayers, Jun 21, Fair Meadows S – “hit head on concrete wall, [died]”

Bv Ready to Run, Jul 4, Fair Meadows T – “[multiple] fractures”

Gospel Cherokey, Jul 21, Fair Meadows R – “fell – skull fracture” (died – not euthanized – next day)

Snoopy, Jul 24, Fair Meadows R (euthanized Jul 25) – “sesamoid fracture” (two years old, second race)

Reigning Kisses, Jul 25, Fair Meadows R – “carpal fracture”

Rookie Season, Aug 13, Remington T – “sesamoid fracture, ruptured suspensory, ruptured tendon”

A Guy Like Me, Aug 15, Remington T – “sesamoid fracture”

Cam’s Legacy, Aug 21, Remington T – “expired upon completion of workout” (two years old)

Jerry’s Got Aces, Sep 17, Remington T – “[multiple] fractures”

Peves Candy Chickman, Sep 18, Will Rogers S – “skull fracture”

Nicky Numbers, Sep 19, Remington R – “sesamoid fracture”

Lauren’s Flyer, Sep 26, Remington T – “shoulder fracture”

Oasis Beauty, Oct 1, Remington R – “collapsed after race, died in shedrow [next day]” (two years old, first race)

Dance to My Song, Oct 9, Remington T – “shoulder fracture while loading”

Aint Your Darlin, Oct 23, Will Rogers R – “carpal fracture”

Heeza Prince, Oct 23, Will Rogers R – “sesamoid fracture, tendon rupture”

Dulce Suenos, Oct 23, Will Rogers R – “carpal fracture”

That’s three horses killed racing at Will Rogers on same day.

Strong Side, Oct 24, Remington S – “colic” (note: not euthanized, just died)

Roaring Rule, Oct 24, Remington T – “condylar fracture”

Caposqueen, Oct 24, Will Rogers R – “carpal fracture” (two years old, first race)

Judys Last Silk, Oct 30, Will Rogers R – “shoulder fracture”

He’s a Shore Bet, Nov 5, Remington T – “sesamoid fracture”

Aloha Dreamer, Nov 7, Remington R (euthanized Nov 10) – “carpal fracture”

Me N Magic, Nov 13, Will Rogers R – “sesamoid fracture”

Expensive Lesson, Nov 16, Remington R – “sesamoid fracture”

Suitefivemagic, Nov 28, Remington R – “sesamoid fracture”

Globus, Dec 3, Remington R – “sesamoid fracture”

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Through a FOIA request to the Maryland Racing Commission, I have confirmed the following kills at that state’s tracks in 2020. It should be noted that in the wake of Santa Anita, Maryland began releasing much more detail. Because these details, including vet testimony, are so powerful (and damning), I will post in multiple installments so as to give each death its proper due.

As always, please consider contacting Maryland politicians and media. Nothing as entrenched as horseracing will change without unrelenting pressure. The message need not be long; in fact, shorter is better – e.g., “Horseracing is animal cruelty, no different than dogracing, which has been banned on moral grounds in 41 states.” Then, copy and paste this list (and the other Maryland reports). Thank you.

Governor Hogan: contact form; twitter; instagram
Senate Majority Leader King: nancy.king@senate.state.md.us; 410-841-3686
House Speaker Jones: adrienne.jones@house.state.md.us; 410-841-3800
Senate members
House members

The Baltimore Sun: newstips@baltimoresun.com; 410-332-6100
ABC Baltimore: newsroom@wmar.com; 410-435-TIPS
CBS Baltimore: 410-578-7568
NBC Baltimore: newstips@wbaltv.com; 800-677-WBAL
Fox Baltimore: news@foxbaltimore.com; 410-467-5595

In Arrears, Jan 7, Laurel S – “progressively lame right foot – [multiple] fractures”; also: “severe degenerative changes both front fetlocks”

Little Bit Country, Jan 16, Laurel T – “flipped, recumbent, unable to move hind limbs”

Dr. Sorum (private vet): “I found the horse down…and [he] appeared in shock. [H]e didn’t have movement to his hind legs. He was also dribbling urine.”

Louise, Jan 19, Laurel S – “RH abscessed and rotated”

Dr. Lockard (private vet): “[T]here was concern the tip of the coffin bone was going to come through the sole.”

City Traveler, Feb 27, Laurel S – “abscess, laminitis” (last raced Jan 20)

Special Power, Jun 6, Laurel R – “flipped, recumbent, head trauma”

Dr. Walsh (commission vet): “The horse was nervous and slightly difficult to work with [during pre-race] exam.”

Aljohn, Jun 9, Laurel S – “horse was being treated for an infected right foot for approximately 10 days; several medications…did not correct the problem; on June 9, [the trainer] discovered that the horse’s right foot had fallen off” (two years old)

again: “discovered that the horse’s right foot had fallen off”

Top Czar, Jun 9, Laurel S – “pleuropneumonia, trouble breathing; horse had previous tie-back surgery for partially paralyzed throat”

Miners Quest, Jul 14, Laurel S – “acute laminitis, rotation of the foot” (nine years old, had been raced 72 times, most recently in June)

Lucerito, Oct 7, Laurel S – “severe arthritis, chronic degenerative joint disease [all four] fetlocks” (was only three years old)

Noble Way, Nov 24, Laurel S – “traumatic brain injury: horse reared up [coming out of] throat surgery, struck head and face on walls of stall”

Dr. Stokes (private vet): “The horse…began to thrash around the stall and hit the walls multiple times.”

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In the 9th at Tampa yesterday afternoon, Smart Warrior, says the chartwriter, “fell to the course when suffering an apparent catastrophic injury.” While I don’t have a firm confirmation yet, I’m quite sure the 4-year-old is dead. Here is the video. While watching, note the announcer’s “reporting”: “Smart Warrior has unseated his rider and [is] out of the race…and the rider is down with the horse in the clubhouse turn.” Then back to the action: “They continue their journey up the backstretch!”

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Congressionalstorm was bred in 2010 and first raced in 2013. Monday at Parx, the soon-to-be-11-year-old was put to the whip for the 96th time. Yes, that’s right, 96th time. In that race, this old (for racing, that is) mare finished last of 10, 44 lengths back. In the race immediately preceding that one, January 20, and also at Parx, she finished last of 12, 37 lengths back.

While Congressionalstorm has of course been passed around multiple times, her most recent batch of races has come under the yoke of owner Angel Herrera and trainer Juan Vazquez, who, by the way, is no stranger to trouble. Somehow, these two miscreants still see fit to thrust this poor girl out there. Perhaps it’s in the hope that someone will buy her: Needless to say, Congressional is running strictly “claiming races” these days and can be had for the relatively cheap price of $5,000. More likely, though, it’s being done while secure in the knowledge that by simply finishing, Congressional will “earn” for them: Parx is a racino, meaning not only that purses are artificially jacked by slots revenue, but also that checks go out to all finishers – first through last. So, to take the past two races as examples, Congressional can finish a combined 80 lengths back and still “earn” $500 for her abusers. In a word, vile.

voice your outrage:
Parx Casino & Racing: 215-639-9000; email (Keith Jones): businessoffice@parxracing.com

PA Dept. of Agriculture (regulatory agency for horseracing): 717-787-5196; horseracing@pa.gov