Through an “Open Records” request, I have confirmed the following 27 deaths on or at Texas racetracks in 2014: 2-year-old Eyes a Stoli, March 27, Sam Houston 7 Equibase merely said “injured, fell, vanned off.” 4-year-old Stop Talking, April 10,…
On the central matter of “casualties” and “catastrophic breakdowns,” while drugs, pre-existing injuries, track conditions, etc. are all certainly relevant, the simple truth is that the maiming and destruction of racehorses is inherent to the industry. Death at the track…
Through a “Public Records Act” request, I have confirmed the following 12 deaths at Les Bois Park in 2014. The notes after the dates come directly from the Racing Commission documents; my notes follow beneath: 7-year-old Walker Rd., April 8,…
With the death Thursday of Risk the Moon, Aqueduct Racetrack has now lost 21 “equine athletes” since Halloween: 5-year-old Summer Sunset, Oct 31, race 2 (fractured leg) 4-year-old Jesses Giant Dunk, Oct 31, race 3 (ruptured ligament) 4-year-old Knockher Off,…
The following horses were casualties on American tracks last week. This list, however, includes only raceday victims, for while I’d prefer to submit a more complete reckoning, the training carnage is almost entirely covered up. Reported as died, euthanized, or…
Some news from the California Horse Racing Board: At Cal Expo (harness), “Driver James Kennedy appeared in the Stewards office to review his drive in the fifth race on Saturday, February 21, 2015. Driver Kennedy was aboard #1 ‘All American…
Three horses were reported “broke down” Saturday; all can safely be presumed dead: In the 4th at Fair Grounds, 3-year-old Lookin At Daisy, “was coaxed along on the outside…broke down nearing the furlong marker…” The colt was “For Sale” at…
I have confirmed that 4-year-old Hecky Dorn, who was listed as “broke down, vanned off” in a $3,500 claiming race March 2nd at Mahoning, was euthanized. The pathetic creature was trained by Anthony Lowry and owned by M.Y. Stables. Also,…
Family fun from the last couple days at the races: In the 3rd Wednesday at Mountaineer, “WHIMSICAL KATE broke well and battled for the early lead…gave way inside the eighth pole, used up. VISCIOUS CIRCLE was hard used early vying…
An update on the August 2014 U.S. horseracing casualties. 134 horses were “vanned off”; 9 of whom were later confirmed dead: Chattering Gambler, Del Mar Regretless, Saratoga Bayview Drive, Del Mar Zuni Tunes, Golden Gate There Goes Kevin, Los Alamitos…
Two more dead racehorses: In yesterday’s 5th at Aqueduct, 3-year-old Risk the Moon “broke down approaching the sixteenth pole and was euthanized.” Prior to dying, Risk the Moon had been put to the whip three other times – all at…
I have confirmed that both horses who were reported vanned off in the 3rd last night at Charles Town are in fact dead. 2-year-old Lovin It, who fell on the first turn, was euthanized on the track; 3-year-old Fuzz, who…
