Through a FOIA request to the California Horse Racing Board, I have obtained the following details on 2021 kills. (I will be posting in installments of five.)

Cali Caliente, Jan 9, Santa Anita T
“Horse was jogging, collapsed near wire, got up, did circles, then collapsed and suffered sudden death. History of collapsing/severe epistaxis 11/26/20; was sent [to] farm and had several rounds in oxygen chamber. Horse came back to track mid December and has only been jogging.”

Once more: Cali collapsed from “severe epistaxis” – acute hemorrhage from the nostril(s) – less than two months prior to collapsing again and this time, dying.

Noor Khan, Jan 17, Los Alamitos T
“Per assistant trainer Linda Thrash, horse did not finish work well. Walked back to barn ok. At 7:45 am, horse staggered in tow ring and collapsed. Presumptive cardiopulmonary collapse; extensive hemorrhages.” also: “chronic ulcers [in] stomach”

Don’t Stop Lookin, Jan 17, Los Alamitos T
“[multiple] open fractures, [multiple] severe ruptures”; also: “chronic ulcers [in] stomach”

Scat’s Choice, Jan 23, Santa Anita R
“[multiple] open fractures, [multiple] complete ruptures”

Staredown, Jan 28, Golden Gate T
“fracture, rupture, massive hemorrhage, muscles severely torn”

“At 7/8 pole [Staredown] fractured proximal RF limb and fell immediately to synthetic surface…. Horse was unable to rise, there was crepitation [crackling sound] and instability at the elbow/distal humerus region. After evaluation and consulting with trainer and owner, euthanasia was elected due to the grave prognosis….”

Through a FOIA request to the California Horse Racing Board, I have obtained the following details on 2020 kills (previous ones here). (The names were redacted but, paradoxically, the dead had already been identified on the Board’s public database.)

Harliss, Jan 17, Santa Anita R – “catastrophic fetlock breakdown, [multiple] ligament/tendon ruptures”

Enchanting Eva, Apr 4, Golden Gate T – “catastrophic breakdown: the stability and palmar support of the RF limb was destroyed”

M C Hamster, Apr 15, Santa Anita T – “complete luxation of fetlock joint with protrusion of distal MCIII through skin; [multiple] ruptures”

Arky Vaughan, May 8, Golden Gate T – “multiple comminuted fractures, [multiple] complete ruptures”; also: “chronic gastric ulceration” (three years old)

I Love Sorrento, Jun 7, Los Alamitos T – “catastrophic right humeral breakdown – returning from layoff following surgery [on same leg]”

Nana Shila, Jun 27, Los Alamitos R – “open, comminuted fractures; complete rupture [multiple] ligaments/tendons; broken neck; massive hemorrhage within spinal canal”

Plum Dandy, Aug 31, Del Mar S – “flipped – fractured skull, bled from nose, died”

She’s Got Heart, Sep 20, Golden Gate T – “multiple fractures of pastern”; also: “chronic gastric ulceration” (three years old)

Superficial, Oct 6, Santa Anita S – “skull fracture; significant blood loss from both nostrils; was ataxic and unwilling to stand; appeared to be suffocating on blood” (two years old)

Racing N Lace, Dec 5, Los Alamitos R – “catastrophic lumbar fracture, spinal cord compression, hemorrhage in spinal canal”

Through a FOIA request to the California Horse Racing Board, I have obtained the following details on 2020 kills (previous ones here). (The names were redacted but, paradoxically, the dead had already been identified on the Board’s public database.)

Tailback, May 10, Santa Anita T – “compound, comminuted fractures of MCII, MCIII, MCIV”

Wire to Wire Tigah, Jun 13, Golden Gate R – “[multiple] fractures, [multiple] ruptures” (first race)

Mean Sophia, Sep 5, Del Mar R – “humeral fracture, massive hemorrhage”

Bob E McGee, Sep 13, Los Alamitos R – “fell past wire: humeral fracture, biceps and triceps ruptures, massive hemorrhage”

unidentified, Oct 11, Los Alamitos S – “Quarterhorse with a history of being found dead – aortic rupture”

Hit It Up, Oct 23, Los Alamitos R (died Oct 28) – “locked up [during] race, ambulanced to stall; found dead five days [later]: catastrophic lumbar fracture; multiple, variably shaped fragments within spinal canal accompanied by massive hemorrhage and complete transection of the spinal cord”

From necropsy report: “I suspect that the ventral displacement of lumbar vertebrae accompanied by complete transection of spinal cord occurred shortly prior to the death of the horse, and may have been associated with high level of pain. In some instances extreme pain can cause overstimulation of parasympathetic system that leads to general vasodilation, significant decrease in blood pressure, and ultimately to cardiopulmonary failure.” (emphasis added)

Celtic Miracle, Nov 6, Los Alamitos R – “[multiple] fractures, [multiple] ruptures”

Love Wins, Dec 19, Golden Gate S – “found dead in stall at 4:30 am; [had] arthroscopy [day before]” (two years old)

Ebeko, Dec 27, Santa Anita R – “[multiple] displaced fractures”

Through a FOIA request to the California Horse Racing Board, I have obtained the following details on 2020 kills (previous ones here). (The names were redacted but, paradoxically, the dead had already been identified on the Board’s public database.)

Buckstopper Kit, Jan 5, Santa Anita T (euthanized Jan 7) – “severely comminuted radius fracture” (surgery failed)

Eyell Be Back, Jan 10, Los Alamitos R (euthanized Jan 12) – “catastrophic breakdown of right carpus”

Uncontainable, Jan 18, Santa Anita R – “catastrophic fetlock breakdown, [multiple] severe ruptures”

Katies Easy Moves, Jan 19, Los Alamitos R – “open, comminuted fracture; severe, complete rupture”

Radio Tim, Feb 21, Los Alamitos R – “[multiple] fractures, [multiple] ruptures”; also: “stomach: chronic ulcers, multiple” (three years old)

Street Machine, Feb 21, Los Alamitos R – “large open wound with exposure of MCIII, [multiple] complete ruptures”

Flokie, Mar 29, Los Alamitos R – “catastrophic breakdown of right carpus”

Royal Callan Rocks, Apr 3, Los Alamitos T – “displaced fracture of tibia” (two years old, being prepped for first race)

Chromie, Apr 11, Los Alamitos R – “catastrophic fetlock breakdown, [multiple] severe ruptures”

Billy the Hott, Sep 5, Los Alamitos R – “pelvic fractures, sacral fractures, lumbar fractures, occipital fractures, massive hemorrhage, acute hypovolemic shock”