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Belatedly, the NYS Gaming Commission has disclosed the death of 3-year-old He’s a Lucky Devil at Belmont eight days ago: “horse fell at 7/8 pole…causing injury – euthanized on track.” Belmont Park, one of America’s premier racetracks, now counts 36 dead horses on the year – this, after 53 perished there last year. Reform is a ruse, safe racing a lie. Horseracing kills. Period.

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Through a FOIA request to the New Mexico Racing Commission, I have confirmed the following kills at Ruidoso and Sunray thus far this year:

Lethal Glory, Apr 3, Ruidoso T – “broke neck”

Willing to Resorce, Apr 6, Ruidoso S – “died in stall”

Bf One Sweet Memory, May 8, Sunray R – “flipped in paddock, probable skull fracture”

Gbh Wagon, May 18, Ruidoso S – “colic”

Rhythm of the Night, May 21, Ruidoso S – “colic” (not euthanized, just died)

Remember Then, May 30, Ruidoso S – “colitis” (not euthanized, just died)

Cartels Comet, Jun 1, Ruidoso S – “colic”

Hush’s Storm, Jun 10, Ruidoso S – “horse died in stall, colic – no vet needed” (11 years old, had been raced 86 times)

Syms Dandy Tlc, Jun 18, Ruidoso R – “fractured knee”

Straightupp, Jul 6, Ruidoso T – “horse collapsed; hemorrhage from pulmonary cavity led to sudden death” (not euthanized, just died) (two years old)

Motiveighted, Jul 27, Ruidoso S – “colic” (not euthanized, just died) (two years old)

E J’s Gold, Jul 31, Ruidoso R – “fractured sesamoid” (75th race)

Exhalted Spirit, Aug 8, Ruidoso R – “fell, spinal cord injury”

Tell Em I Got Candy, Aug 13, Ruidoso S – “colic from 12:30 am to 8 am – surgery not requested by owner” (two years old)

Jam Candy, Aug 20, Ruidoso R – “fell, shoulder”

Kat Eye Kylie, Sep 6, Ruidoso R – “unknown, [just died]” (two years old)

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Squeezadios’ joy – because you know, Thoroughbreds “love to compete” – took a turn at Gulfstream yesterday: “Squeezadios dueled early, suffered a catastrophic injury near the nine-sixteenths marker and was euthanized.” The track, by the way, was rated “sloppy” by Equibase. And that it was. Here’s the replay, with the ugliness, which included another horse “stumbling over [his] fallen rival,” whitewashed by Gulfstream.

A reader, however, sent me this clip:

Squeezadios was five years old.