Virtually without exception, “broke down” is racing-speak for dead; “vanned off” translates to a better-than-even chance of dead. Broke Down: Florida Bull, Sep 3, Thistledown 8 Ligety, Sep 5, Los Alamitos (T) 3 Ifyougotthenotion, Sep 6, Parx 8 Vanned Off:…
An update on the February 2014 casualties. The following were reported as “vanned off”: Dinkers Sunshine, Feb 1, Beulah 8, still active Warrior’s Image, Feb 1, Fair Grounds 9, hasn’t been heard from since Fin Du Monde, Feb 1, Golden…
Unraced 3-year-old Major Battle “fell and died while breezing” at Belmont yesterday. According to the Gaming Commission, the cause is unknown at this time, but fear not – the “case continues.” The colt was being trained by Kathleen Feron (yes,…
In a recent U-T San Diego article, the president of the Thoroughbred Owners of California called the Del Mar summer a “Murphy’s Law meet.” And Joe Harper of the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club described it as “a strange thing, weird.”…
Santa Anita has announced a new whipping rule for its upcoming Fall meet – no more than three consecutive strikes, then wait for a “response” before whipping can resume. Santa Anita’s president says (DRF, 9/2/14), “It’s good for the horse,…
I have confirmed that 3-year-old My Kinda Girl is dead after breaking down in Saturday’s 4th race at Charles Town. This was her fourth start, all under trainer Clovis Crane and owner DASL Stable. She was ridden by Arnaldo Bocachica.
In promoting its product – exploiting horses for gambling – Saratoga Race Course cynically targets young families, hoping, of course, to lure and condition the next generation of “fans” (bettors). Toward that end, the New York Racing Association (NYRA) offered…
I have confirmed that 5-year-old Posh Acres, trained and owned by Ernest Haynes, is dead after breaking down in last Thursday’s 1st race at Charles Town. Prior to his fatal run, the 19-start veteran was being offered for $4,500. This…
Forced – by media reports – to respond to 12 dead horses in Saratoga, NYRA issued the following statement Friday: “Although New York State has made significant progress in reducing injuries and preventing the inappropriate use of medication in racehorses,…
Virtually without exception, “broke down” is racing-speak for dead; “vanned off” translates to a better-than-even chance of dead. Broke Down: Be a Pro, Aug 25, Presque Isle 3 Makari, Aug 25, Saratoga 1 (reported “fell fatally”) Run for Papa, Aug…
According to equine advocate Deborah Jones, 6-year-old Washington’s Rules (below), who was initially reported as “displayed bad action…vanned off” yesterday at Suffolk (6th), has been euthanized. In his penultimate start on August 4th, the gelding finished last of 8, 30…
The California Horse Racing Board has disclosed the deaths of the following three horses – two from the same race – all originally reported as merely “vanned off”: 3-year-old Zuni Tunes (“lateral condylar open fracture”) in the 8th race August…
