Through a FOIA request to the Arkansas Racing Commission, I have confirmed the following deaths at that state’s only track, Oaklawn, this spring. Please note: The Commission did not forward stall deaths, so this list is incomplete.

Macho Appeal, Jan 16, R: “Pulled up on turn, euthanized on track.”

Majestic Freedom, Jan 23, R – “Pulled up, vanned off. On Feb 1, horse was unable to stand…euthanized. Histology revealed avascular bone necrosis.” Majestic was just two years old – “bone necrosis.”

Green Tea Mochi, Feb 2, T – “Returned acutely lame – pelvic fracture – euthanized.”

Torte, Feb 19, T – “This horse sustained open, bilateral sesamoid fractures [and] complete rupture of the suspensory apparatus.” (two years old)

Good Luck Charm, Apr 8, T – “Multiple fractures with rupture of collateral ligaments…euthanized on track.”

Brice, Apr 16, R – “Catastrophic injury, euthanized on track.” (chart merely said “vanned off”)

Through a FOIA request to the Arkansas Racing Commission, I have confirmed the following deaths at that state’s only track, Oaklawn, this spring. As you will see, details were sorely lacking, so I’ve supplemented with information from Equibase.

Rashomon, Jan 4, T (two years old, being prepped for first race)
Ghostly Appeal, Jan 12, T (two years old, coming off first race)
Hold the Fort, Jan 13, T (two years old, coming off first race)
My Aunt Mims, Jan 15, T
Fracing Fast, Jan 15, T (two years old)
Rockshaw, Feb 25, T – “dropped dead after training”
Daddy’s Angel, Mar 6, T – “collapsed and died while training”
Grand Rocket, Mar 13, T (two years old, being prepped for first race)
Another Hero, Mar 20, T
Len’s Gold, Mar 28, R – “stopped, eased, euthanized off track”
Downtown Boy, Apr 10, R – “pulled up in distress” (two years old, first race)
Fast Recovery, Apr 17, R (euthanized Apr 24) – “carpal fracture”
Louden’s Gray, Apr 24, R – “pulled up in apparent distress”

And one that merits a bit more attention because of the detail that was provided:

In late February, says the Commission, 7-year-old Bm One Rare Rocket began treatment for an “impaction colic.” He suffered from this painful condition for “four to five days before being found dead in its [yes, ‘its,’ not ‘his’] stall on 2/27.” “Death,” the vet says, “was caused by septic shock.” How ugly. How cruel. How horseracing.

Through a FOIA request (repeated requests, actually) to the Arkansas Racing Commission, I have confirmed the following kills at Oaklawn Park in the just-concluded meet:

Usual Suspect, Jan 13, Oaklawn T – “exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage”

Shut the Box, Jan 23, Oaklawn S – “equine protozoal myeloencephalitis”

Ted’s Shadow, Feb 1, Oaklawn T – “catastrophic injury”

Devil’s Drama, Feb 15, Oaklawn R – “catastrophic injury”

Smokey, Feb 16, Oaklawn S – “injured in barn, died due to cerebrum hemorrhage”

Different Days, Feb 16, Oaklawn R (euthanized Feb 17) – “carpus fracture”

Taraz, Feb 17, Oaklawn T – “catastrophic injury”

Arguto, Feb 26, Oaklawn T – “catastrophic injury”

Arkyarkyarky, Mar 8, Oaklawn R – “catastrophic injury”

Dynamite Dan, Mar 12, Oaklawn T (euthanized Mar 14) – “catastrophic injury”

A P Dancer, Mar 21, Oaklawn T – “cannon fracture”

Glory Stars, Mar 26, Oaklawn R – “catastrophic injury”

Kahului, Apr 2, Oaklawn R – “ruptured vein in the pelvic cavity, hypovolemic shock”

Joan’s Delight, Apr 4, Oaklawn T – “sesamoid fracture”

Blowinthebluesaway, Apr 10, Oaklawn R – “fractured shoulder”

Muskoka Wonder, Apr 17, Oaklawn R – “catastrophic injury”

Rockys Warrior, Apr 26, Oaklawn R – “carpus fracture”

Midnight Sway, Apr 26, Oaklawn R – “fetlock fracture”