In a recent LTE to the Thoroughbred Daily News, founding board member of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and still active horseman Reiley McDonald further exposed the sham that is racing “aftercare.” Here is some of what the Kentucky-based McDonald had…
Through a FOIA request to the Utah Dept. of Agriculture, I have confirmed the following two kills at Weber Downs, Utah’s only track, last year. Please note that Weber conducted but four days of racing – two kills in four…
Through a FOIA request to the Illinois Racing Board, I have confirmed the following kills at that state’s tracks last year (this is part 2; part 1 here – 20 kills in total). Road Blue, Jul 12, Fairmount R “Catastrophic…
In keeping with the theme of yesterday’s post on Laurel, two tracks that had been silenced because of the weather last week gave it a go Monday – with predictable and possibly (likely) tragic results. At Mahoning, in 22-degree temps…
As mentioned in this morning’s post, there were a lot of weather-related cancellations last week, especially on the East Coast. Aqueduct and Charles Town, for example, didn’t hold a single race all week. On Friday, Laurel Park tried, and ultimately…
Through a FOIA request to the PA Dept. of Agriculture, I have confirmed the following kills at that state’s tracks last year (this is part 2; part 1 here – 66 kills in total). As always, the packet came with…
Chart notes from U.S. Thoroughbred and Quarterhorse races last week. (Note: The extreme weather caused many cancellations last week.) A Corona for Me “equine ambulance” at Turf Riding By “transported off track in ambulance” at Turf Campout “bled, fell, transported…
According to the chart for Delta Friday, this happened to Campout: “stopped midway down the backstretch, bled, fell and was transported on the ambulance.” So, this poor girl, just three, “bled” – almost assuredly from pulmonary hemorrhage – then fell,…
Through a FOIA request to the Montana Board of Racing, I have confirmed the following kill there last year. Note: Montana had only 12 days of racing in 2025. Ensign of Hope, Jul 13, Great Falls R “[Multiple] fractures, euthanized…
Bullville Terror, says the NYS Gaming Commission, “broke down” in the 1st race at Monticello yesterday and is dead. He was eight years old. A few other notes… According to Equibase, in 2025 wagering on U.S. races was down 2.1%…
In an “Open Letter,” The Jockey Club has responded to Mike Repole’s threatened lawsuit. I won’t bore you with all the details, just the part about “aftercare.” On Repole’s claim that TJC “has failed to address aftercare,” they write: “Aftercare…
Through a FOIA request to the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission, I have confirmed the following 21 kills at Prairie Meadows last year. Valentinagal, Jun 7, Prairie T – “cannon fracture” Lightly Painted, Jun 23, Prairie R – “exercise-induced pulmonary…
