Patrick Battuello

As the Empire State’s (and much of the nation’s) attention turns to storied Saratoga, another NY track, Finger Lakes, hums along with piled-up carcasses. After the 5th race Thursday, 4-year-old filly Indomitable Woman, ridden by Oscar Gomez and trained by…

By now it should be clear that when something bad happens, the Equibase notes are usually less-than-complete, often, even grossly misleading. For the latter, we need look no further than the 9th race at Oak Tree (Alameda County Fair) on…

5-year-old Finally Together, reported as “broke down in mid stretch” Monday night at Mountaineer (race 9), is confirmed dead. In 27 months and 23 races, Finally Together was handled by five different humans: John Charalambous (6), Martin Sandee (3), Heather…

5-year-old Music Maid, reported as “broke down after the finish” of Belmont’s 2nd race Sunday, is confirmed dead. The filly was ridden by Rosario Montanez, trained by David Smith, owned by Madeline Cohn, and bred by Edward Cohn. Belmont’s ’14…

A 2-year-old unraced colt by the name of The Lucky Dream was “found dead in [his] stall” Thursday at Finger Lakes. Dead in his stall. At two – or roughly the equivalent of a human child. This being horseracing, especially…

Through a call to the state vet, I was able to confirm that 5-year-old Our Deputy Express was euthanized after breaking down in Thursday’s 2nd race at Delaware Park. Prior to her fatal fall (“leaving the backstretch”), Our Deputy Express…

4-year-old Havana Sunrise, trained and owned by John Salvato, died Saturday at Finger Lakes from a “septic infection to RR Metatarsophalangeal.” Though termed “non-racing,” make no mistake, this young filly is a horseracing casualty. By the way, in her last…

7-year-old career claimer Back Talking broke down in last night’s 5th race at Mountaineer and can be presumed dead. Prior to his fatal fall, Back Talking “lacked speed and traveled mid track throughout.” The complicit: jockey Brandon Whitacre and the…