Through a FOIA request to the Illinois Racing Board, I have confirmed the following kills on that state’s tracks in 2018.

Ready Poncho, March 24, Hawthorne T
“collapsed dead on track…exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage”

Nite Goggles, April 7, Hawthorne T
“fractured humerus…euthanized on track”

Act of Heroism, April 19, Hawthorne R
“open fetlock…ambulance to the designated area…euthanized”

Lost Creek, May 19, Arlington T
“fractured tibia…euthanized on track”

Bank Account, June 12, Fairmount R
“fracture fetlock apparatus – ligaments torn”

Big O’s Tavern, June 15, Arlington R
“comminuted sesamoid fracture, mid-body lateral fracture, and complete rupture of [ligaments]…ambulance to the designated area…euthanized”

Sully’s Dream, July 7, Arlington R (euthanized July 12)
“complete basilar fracture of sesamoid”

Ask Alex, July 20, Arlington T
“comminuted P1 fractures”

Larry Rocks, July 20, Arlington R
“femur fracture…ambulance to designated area…euthanized”

Star Quest, July 22, Arlington R (found dead next morning after being “vanned off”)
“suspect pelvic fractures and hemorrhage”

Intrepid Humor, July 28, Arlington T
“fracture with lacerated femoral artery”

Half Ready, August 4, Arlington T
“broke down breezing; suspensory apparatus failure of previous surgery with screws”

Giant Breeze, August 5, Arlington R
“after racing the horse became recumbent…they got the horse up…it went down and never got up again…severe heat stroke…euthanized”

Get Mad Gracie, August 11, Fairmount R
“fractured ankle – shattered”

Triple Dog Dare, August 13, Arlington T
“spiral comminuted MCIII fracture”

First Attempt, August 26, Arlington T
“compound fracture MCIII, sesamoid fracture, ruptured collateral ligaments”

Ava Atticus, September 2, Arlington R (euthanized September 4)
“fracture radial carpal bone”

Hurricane Hank, September 13, Arlington R
“multiple carpal fractures…taken to the designated area…euthanized”

G P’s Girl, September 20, Arlington R
“collapsed on track…horse was in agonal breathing and the mucus membranes were white…stopped breathing within seconds of arrival” (five years old)

Altai, September 23, Arlington T
“bilateral sesamoid fractures…taken to the designated area…euthanized”

Matthew’s Thunder, October 5, Hawthorne R
“comminuted fractures of the sesamoids…suspensory ligament ruptured”

Vic the Boss, October 20, Hawthorne R
“[multiple] comminuted fractures…ambulanced to designated area…euthanized”

Semper Frey, October 21, Hawthorne T
“horse went down and was dead before [vet] got to the horse”

Twin Deuce, October 24, Hawthorne R
“open fetlock complex…euthanized on track” (chart said absolutely nothing)

Kate’s Cat, October 26, Hawthorne R
“comminuted fracture and luxation of the joint…euthanized on track” (chart merely said, “fell, vanned off”)

Del Mar Bert, October 31, Hawthorne T
“compound comminuted fracture of cannon”

Whats Up Hero, November 21, Hawthorne T
“mid-shaft compound fracture”

Thurman, November 24, Hawthorne R
“complete rupture of [multiple] ligaments and subluxation of the fetlock joint…ambulance to the designated area…euthanized”

Sailor Brodee, December 7, Hawthorne R
“comminuted sesamoid fractures…ambulance to the designated area…euthanized”

She Is Fuzzy, December 16, Hawthorne T
“fractured tibia”

Legendary Vision, December 22, Hawthorne R
“open sesamoid fractures and complete rupture of [ligaments] with disarticulation of the fetlock joint”

In addition, the following horse died on track grounds from what the industry craftily calls a “non-racing” cause. Technically true, perhaps, but morally she is no less a casualty of this vile business than the ones above. (Notably, this was the only “non-racing/training” death submitted; in an active racing-state like Illinois, there were surely many more either undocumented or apathetically disregarded by the Board.)

Black Angel, July 4, Arlington
“possible electrocution – mare dropped dead in stall after touching metal door frame; screw eye was red hot” (was last raced three days prior)

Through a request to the Illinois Racing Board, I have confirmed the following kills on that state’s tracks in 2017.

Carlientita, February 27, Hawthorne, training
“after work[out], the horse collapsed dead on the track” (last race on September 15, last – 57 lengths back; trainer, Manny Perez; owner, Randy Wientjes)

ZZ Rider, March 31, Hawthorne, race 1
“at the 3/8 pole the horse took a bad step and continued on to 1/4 pole; the horse put its head down and somersaulted on track; examination showed an open, disarticulated fetlock joint with the MCIII bone sticking out; all collateral ligaments ruptured – euthanized on track”

Y Ya Gottabedatway, April 6, Hawthorne, race 7
“open, bilateral sesamoid fractures”

Say It Isn’t True, April 27, Hawthorne, race 5
“at the 1/8 pole the horse fractured the right shoulder; taken by ambulance to designated area and humanely euthanized”

Jackieboy, May 13, Arlington, race 3
“distal medial carpal fracture, complete rupture of ligaments and disarticulation”

Medalquest, May 26, Arlington, race 5
“complete rupture of collateral ligaments – ambulanced to designated area and humanely euthanized”

Tarpon Hanover, June 2, Hawthorne (harness), race 11 (euthanized June 3)
“horse broke down after the race”

Dandyman, June 20, Fairmount, race 3
“broke down at the 5/16 pole” (73rd time under the whip)

Stanley’s Friend, July 2, Arlington, race 4
“broke down at 3/8 – bilateral sesamoids”

Sistriot, July 20, Arlington, prior to race 8
“the horse flipped in the paddock; she had difficulty standing and fell again…taken by ambulance to a barn – found dead in the am”

Permian, August 12, Arlington, race 7
“open, lateral condylar fracture MCIII and bilateral sesamoid fractures”

Just Zip It, September 7, Arlington, race 4
“collapsed after crossing finish line – dead upon exam”

You’re My Favorite, September 16, Fairmount, race 7
“broke down at 5/16 pole – shattered cannon bone – was euthanized at that spot”

Thirsty Girl, September 18, Arlington, training
“trained normally, returned to barn – horse became wobbly…placed in a stall when it collapsed and died”

Princess Izabella, October 11, Hawthorne, race 4
“bilateral sesamoid comminuted fractures”

Ben’s Moment, October 13, Hawthorne, training
“mid-cannon fracture”

Rue Ga Rue, October 21, Hawthorne, training
“bilateral sesamoid fracture”

Dancing Nora, October 27, Hawthorne, race 4
“disarticulated open bilateral fractures – euthanized on track”

Everybodys Hope, November 3, Hawthorne, race 9
“lame, sent home via ambulance – comminuted carpal slab fracture” (5 races coming in: 4 with a combined 85 lengths back, 1 an “eased, DNF”; trainer, Rodolfo Aguilar)

Realta Ean, November 10, Hawthorne, race 6
“open, compound, comminuted fractures” (43rd time under the whip)

Tee At Two, November 13, Hawthorne, training
“MCIII fracture just below the carpus”

Jazzy Sun, November 24, Hawthorne, race 4
“bilateral sesamoid fractures”

Thundergram, December 1, Hawthorne, race 5 (euthanized December 6)
“lateral base sesamoid fractures”

Polar Air, December 12, Hawthorne, training
“while being ponied during training the horse incurred condylar fracture”

In addition, these still-very-much-active racehorses died on track grounds from what the industry craftily calls “non-racing” causes. Technically true, perhaps, but morally they are no less casualties of this vile business than the ones above.

Boat Drinks, March 25, Hawthorne
“the horse returned to the track with laminitis in all four limbs – rotated through the sole” (four years old, last raced November 11)

Mongolian Eagle, July 16, Arlington
“eight weeks of ataxia” (two years old, yet-to-be-raced)

Dark Humorista, August 15, Arlington
“cellulitis of foreleg” (eight years old, 52 races, last one June 24)

Through a request to the Illinois Racing Board, I have confirmed the following deaths at Illinois tracks in 2016:

Storm Blaiser, January 1, Hawthorne 2, “lower carpal fractures (crushing fracture, loss of support column) – humanely euthanized”

Larry’s Place, January 20, Balmoral 10, “broke down racing…owner was hoping to have fracture repaired but after receiving estimates decided to euthanize”

Withhonorweserve, March 18, Hawthorne training, “break down, ambulance, comminuted humerus fracture – dead”

Stevie Smoothboy, April 8, Hawthorne 5, “distal sesamoid ligaments bilaterally ruptured…transported to designated area and humanely euthanized”

Wanna Danze Lady, April 15, Hawthorne training, “pastern fracture – euthanized”

Striking Hight, May 11, Arlington training, “ran off gap and fell on pavement…torn tendon, probably broken femur – euthanized” (9 years old, 80 times under the whip)

Whatsthefoxsay, May 14, prior to Fairmount 2, “horse flipped in paddock prior to the race, struck head on pole – euthanized”

Vasilisa the Wise, May 19, Arlington training, “collapsed on track training – dead”

Indanameofdafather, June 7, Fairmount 6, “while racing between the 1/2 mile pole and the 3/8 pole, this horse dropped dead on the track”

Le Dimanche, June 26, Arlington 1, “open, comminuted condylar fracture…taken to designated area and humanely euthanized”

The Minister, July 10, Arlington 3 (euthanized July 12), “fractured carpus”

Notta, July 17, Arlington training, “lacerated tendons with extensive degloving wound with cannon bone exposed – humanely euthanized”

Uno Pecador, August 11, Arlington 1 (89th time under the whip), “horse was cooled down with the water hoses and looked fine…horse returned to the barn and was in the process of being bathed when it collapsed…suspect a bleeding episode or a cardiac event”

Jicote, August 14, Arlington 2 (euthanized August 24), “after its bath the horse was left front lame…fetlock was enlarged and filled, ligament also inflamed…sesamoid and condylar fractures – euthanized”

Super Nova, September 5, Arlington 7, “following the race, the horse got wobbly in the tunnel…treated with Delt Cortef and cold water – the horse collapsed dead”

Wind Warrior, September 24, Arlington 7, “horse broke down near the 3/8 pole but continued on to the finish line…examination showed bilateral sesamoid fractures, rupture of the distal ligaments and collateral ligament, disarticulation of the fetlock joint…the bone was exposed – humanely euthanized on track”

Fitz’s Storm, October 21, Hawthorne 6, “horse collapsed dead on the track…administered succinylcholine to end suffering”

Rory Monarchos, November 19, Hawthorne training (euthanized November 20), “open, comminuted condylar fracture…vet and trainer had to wait for owner to call back, so horse was euthanized [next day]”

Socksbdancing, November 26, Hawthorne 9, “horse was fracture lame…comminuted sesamoid fractures – humanely euthanized”

Brim, December 8, Hawthorne 6, “following the race while walking back to the barn, horse collapsed and, [after] 3 agonal breaths, died on track”

Warrior’s Magic, December 10, Hawthorne training, “horse broke down while galloping…very lame after returning to the barn – euthanized”

Dragonfly Chaser, December 23, Hawthorne 6, “pulled up lame…lateral condylar fracture – humanely euthanized”

In addition, the following horses died on track grounds from what the industry calls “non-racing” causes. While this may be technically true, morally they are no less casualties of this vile business than the ones above.

Quittin Time, May 27, Arlington, “the horse shipped in from Arkansas with a 103 degree temperature…developed laminitis…today the horse’s coffin bone rotated out the bottom of its foot…the horse was humanely euthanized”

unnamed pony, August 24, Arlington, “colic of 2-day duration…appeared to recover, then expired suddenly, most likely due to a distended or ruptured bowel”

There can be no justification for the killing of animals for $2 bets. End it. Now.

Through a FOIA request to the Illinois Racing Board, I have confirmed the following 33 kills on Illinois tracks in 2015:

5-year-old Lady Angel, March 10, Hawthorne, training
“collapsed while training with copious amount of blood coming out of both nostrils”

5-year-old Take Heart, March 24, Hawthorne, training

7-year-old Sweet Elation, April 11, Hawthorne 9

5-year-old Wildwood Perfect, April 24, Hawthorne 2

4-year-old Duneside Matt, April 25, Balmoral 2
“horse started pulling up around 1/2 mile then collapsed and died”

3-year-old Super Service, May 3, Arlington, training

6-year-old So So Worth It, May 3, Arlington 1

2-year-old Wollemi, May 31, Arlington, training (being prepped for first race)

5-year-old Try a Lemon Drop, June 2, Fairmount 5

4-year-old More Honey, June 2, Fairmount 7

4-year-old Affirmed Once More, June 5, Arlington, training

6-year-old Bluegrass Dan, June 19, Arlington 6
“taken to designated area and humanely euthanized”

3-year-old Jaye’s Moondust, June 27, Arlington, training

2-year-old State Scholar, June 29, Arlington, training (being prepped for first race)

3-year-old Broken In, July 3, Arlington 6

8-year-old Cherokee Mate, July 14, Fairmount 8

4-year-old Mabee Able, August 18, Fairmount 2

2-year-old DB, August 22, Balmoral 6 (euthanized August 26)

5-year-old King’s Fortune, August 27, Arlington 5

4-year-old Dashful, October 9, Hawthorne 6
“taken to designated area and humanely euthanized”

3-year-old Mr. Kasdan, October 10, Hawthorne, training (being prepped for first race)
“suspensory apparatus failure both front legs”

4-year-old Give It to Mikey, October 10, Hawthorne 6

3-year-old One Em, October 19, Hawthorne, training
“died during surgery to repair fracture”

4-year-old Pferd, October 23, Hawthorne 8
“horse was humanely euthanized on track due to the severity of the injury”

3-year-old Bold N Grey, November 3, Hawthorne 9 (euthanized November 7)

5-year-old Dr Action, November 30, Hawthorne, training

5-year-old Freakin Rocket, December 5, Hawthorne 8
“euthanized on track due to severity of fracture”

4-year-old Oh Suzanna, December 15, Hawthorne 1

3-year-old Mine Forever, December 15, Hawthorne 3

3-year-old Zip’s Moondance, December 15, Hawthorne 7 (euthanized December 18)

4-year-old Schuylercountyline, December 18, Hawthorne 8

4-year-old Lexham, December 26, Hawthorne 6 (euthanized December 27)

5-year-old El Bandito, December 30, Hawthorne 6
“While racing the horse had open comminuted fractures…the horse flipped in the ambulance, went over the partition and had to be euthanized inside the ambulance.”

In addition, these 3 still-active horses died on track grounds:

3-year-old A Real Ladies Man, May 29, Arlington
“died of natural causes [at three, that is] before they could load horse on trailer”

6-year-old Broome Street, August 16, Arlington
“severe laminitis 3 of 4 feet”

17-year-old Mystery Giver, October 17, Hawthorne
“pony horse” – “collapsed and died on track”

Per the Illinois Racing Commission (through a FOIA request), the following racehorses either died or were euthanized on Illinois racetracks in 2014:

Thoroughbreds
8-year-old All Tanked Up, Feb 21, Hawthorne 3
9-year-old Miss Palatine, Feb 22, Hawthorne 2
2-year-old I’m a Breeze, Feb 23, Hawthorne 3
5-year-old News Bulletin, Mar 1, Hawthorne 8
3-year-old Starlight Dreamer, Mar 16, Hawthorne 1
8-year-old Yu Tiger Yu, Mar 28, Hawthorne 6
5-year-old Donttangowithmango, Apr 5, Hawthorne 5
8-year-old Casey’s On Call, Apr 9, Hawthorne 2
3-year-old Lewis City, Oct 15, Hawthorne 1
4-year-old Reinvested, Nov 12, Hawthorne 8
5-year-old Cherokee Scoots, Nov 26, Hawthorne 5
3-year-old Bonita Song, Nov 29, Hawthorne 7
11-year-old Hurta, Dec 4, Hawthorne 9
3-year-old Pistols Drawn, Dec 10, Hawthorne 1
4-year-old Sluhs Last Girl, Hawthorne, training
2-year-old She’s a Poet, Hawthorne, training
4-year-old French Colonel, Hawthorne, training
5-year-old Eyema Delight, May 18, Arlington 8
6-year-old Static Kill, May 24, Arlington 5
4-year-old Permit, Jun 1, Arlington 8
3-year-old Chief Barker, Jul 12, Arlington 9
7-year-old Peters Rock, Aug 10, Arlington 3
3-year-old Imperial Lad, Sep 1, Arlington 3
4-year-old Mop, Sep 5, Arlington 2
3-year-old Ancient Kingj, Arlington, training
5-year-old Apropos, Arlington, training
2-year-old Brillar, Arlington, training
2-year-old Lord’s Messenger, Arlington, training
4-year-old Last Nouncer, Arlington, training
4-year-old Razman, Arlington, training
2-year-old Smokey Places, Arlington, training
5-year-old No Apologizes, Arlington, training
6-year-old Tiger Mike, Jun 7, Fairmount 3
5-year-old Markyour Territory, Aug 2, Fairmount 1
3-year-old Run for Papa, Aug 26, Fairmount 1
3-year-old Back’em Down, Sep 2, Fairmount 4
6-year-old Goldmine Princess, Sep 20, Fairmount 1

Standardbreds
Fox Valley Absolute
Theindecentlawyer
Kesons Allure
Lil Annie
Ellie Anne
Blue Rock
Dolly Dancer
Lydia’s Flight
Chili Beach
Mike’s Boy

Of the 37 Thoroughbreds, the official Equibase charts had 20 as merely “vanned off,” 1 as having bled, and 2 others as having finished without incident. Only 2 were said to have “broke down,” and just 1 was reported euthanized. Add the fact that the harness charts are even less descriptive and that the training carnage is completely hidden from view, and we get this: As far as the public knew, Illinois lost but 1 racehorse last year, not the 47 we reveal today. The Big Lie on full display, yet again.