Through a FOIA request to the Arizona Dept. of Gaming, I have confirmed the following kills at that state’s tracks thus far this year. (I will be posting in installments.)
Launch Pad, Apr 20, Turf T
“ran into rail: complete, comminuted fracture; muscle tearing; hemorrhage”
also: “chronic ulcerative gastritis”
Launch Pad was four years old.
Bellybutton Icon, Apr 28, Turf R
“horse fell: [multiple] severely comminuted scapula fractures; severe complete metacarpus fracture [with] an area of degloving with missing skin; large amount of hemorrhage and muscle tearing; acute intracranial hemorrhage; multiple lacerations; dirt and crusted blood on the face; fly eggs on the neck”
also: “ulcerated areas in stomach; chronic multifocal arthritis”
Bellybutton Icon had just turned two. Two – now go back and re-read the above.
Make Me Blush, May 3, Turf R
“comminuted sesamoid fracture with lacerations of several ligaments and tendons; horse had seizure after Euthasol was administered”
also: “chronic degenerative joint disease [both front limbs]; chronic gastric ulceration”
Make Me Blush was five years old.
Autism’s Ribbon, May 4, Turf T
“horse fell: open, comminuted cannon fracture with multiple bone fragments that penetrate through the skin – one measuring 3.5cmx2.5cm sticking through”
also: “chronic-active gastric ulcers”
Autism’s Ribbon was two years old.
Cash Icon, Jun 27, Arizona R
“blunt-force trauma: compound fracture, exposed bone fragments, hemorrhage, extensive soft-tissue tearing”
also: “multiple stomach ulcers”
Cash Icon was seven years old.
Outlaw, Jun 27, Arizona R
“[multiple] fractures, tendon sheath fully torn, [multiple] ligaments ruptured or frayed, 10cm-deep puncture wound near the jugular oozing blood”
Outlaw was seven years old.
In addition, these horses are confirmed dead but came without full necropsies:
Creative Plan, Feb 11, Turf T – “fractured fetlock”
Sweet Baby Ruthie, Jun 4, Arizona S – “colic” (was raced May 29)
Carete, Jun 22, Arizona T – “sudden death” (four years old)
yet-to-be-named 2-year-old, Jun 26, Arizona T – “head/neck trauma”