Just Another Saturday at the Races
Yesterday on American tracks: In the 1st at Pimlico, Ellies Tattle Tale, five years and one day old, broke down and can be presumed dead. It was the gelding’s 6th time under the whip in 2015: 8th of 9 (16+…
Patrick’s Blog
Read MoreJust Another Saturday at the Races
The Abuse of Maggie’s Lad
In Maggie’s Lad’s very first race in September ’13, he took a “bad step” and was “eased” – DNF. At the time, he was two years old. Prior to his next race, he was sold. Prior to his next race,…
Three “Vanned Off” at Sunland Yesterday
Three horses were ambulanced off the Sunland track yesterday afternoon; as you read this morning, it is highly probable that at least one is dead: 6-year-old Zoomin for Time in the 2nd 4-year-old Watch for Corona in the 4th 2-year-old…
Eastcoast Lights Dies of “Severe Colic” at Belmont
The NYS Gaming Commission has disclosed the death of 4-year-old Eastcoast Lights at Belmont on March 29th. Apparently, the Eugene Reiff-trained horse was euthanized “after a bout of severe colic.” It’s worth noting that the gelding was a “pulled up”…
Abused, Missing: Summers Law, Da Suga Man, Devadutt, Waverly Charmer
On August 11th at Suffolk Downs, 5-year-old Summers Law “was pulled up and returned rank” (this after finishing last of 10 two weeks prior). Put to the whip again a mere seven days later, he finished 9th of 10, 15+…
15 Dead Horses at Louisiana Downs
Through a “Public Records Act” request, I have confirmed the following 15 deaths at Louisiana Downs in 2014. (With these Louisiana reports, I have noted that training deaths were not included in the Commission documents. After reaching out again, I…
The Lie of “Kinder, Gentler Whipping”
Catalyst, an Australian science show, recently ran this segment on the whip. The entire program is worth a look, but one quote in particular stands out. Australian Racing Board chief Peter McGauran: “That [not shifting from pain] would have been…
Fair Grounds’ 2014 Dead
Through a “Public Records Act” request, I have confirmed the following 14 raceday kills (the Commission did not forward training deaths, so this list is far from complete) at Louisiana’s Fair Grounds in 2014: 3-year-old Aunt Meanie, January 1, Fair…
The Broken Bodies, 3/23/15-3/29/15
The following horses were raceday casualties on American tracks last week: Reported as died, euthanized, or “broke down” – racing-speak for dead Soft Shoulders, Turf Only Josie Knows, Santa Anita Criminal Element, Sunland Reported as “vanned off” – left via…
Only Josie Knows Dead in Santa Anita “Spill”
In the 7th race at Santa Anita yesterday, Only Josie Knows, two days shy of her 5th birthday, broke down and was euthanized. In yet another example of the relatively worthless nature of racehorses, witness this Blood-Horse article on the…
Evangeline’s 21 Dead Athletes
Through a “Public Records Act” request, I have confirmed the following 21 raceday kills (the Commission did not forward training deaths, so this list is far from complete) at Louisiana’s Evangeline Downs in 2014: 3-year-old Sicard’s Sensation, April 17, Evangeline…
Shedrow Secrets: Darned Worthy
The following is our latest installment of “Shedrow Secrets” – first-hand accounts from the heroes who work tirelessly to save Racing’s broken bodies. Shedrow Secrets Darned Worthy by Joy Aten Over the course of his racing career, the stunning grey…