Through a FOIA request to the West Virginia Racing Commission, I have confirmed the following kills at that state’s two tracks thus far this year. Please note how many of these poor horses were made to suffer days – or even months – with horrible injuries before being euthanized. It is, in a word, unconscionable.

Genesis G G, Aug 5 (2021), Charles Town T (euth Mar 21) – “neck/back injury”
Jack’s Ruca, Nov 6 (2021), Charles Town R (euth Feb 18) – “slab fracture”
Felons Only, Jan 5, Charles Town T – “compound fracture, MCIII”
Glory March, Jan 15, Charles Town R – “fractured both LF sesamoids”
Miss Bee Hiving, Jan 27, Charles Town R (euth Jan 31) – “multiple fractures”
Church of Many, Jan 27, Charles Town R (euth Apr 22) – “multiple chips”
Atrani, Jan 31, Charles Town T – “fractured fetlock”
Destiny’s Charge, Feb 11, Charles Town S – “neurologic, unable to get up”
Bee Jealous, Feb 11, Charles Town R (euth Feb 12) – “slab fracture” (first ever race)
Swing Your Sword, Feb 11, Charles Town R (euth Feb 12) – “[multiple] fractures”
Windrush Karma, Feb 12, Charles Town R – “carpus fracture”
Battletown, Feb 17, Charles Town T – “fractured neck” (being trained for first race)
Harbour Town, Feb 17, Charles Town T – “fractured neck” (probably related to above)
Windsors Tail, Feb 25, Charles Town R – “fractured fetlock”
Mary Boppins Too, Mar 11, Charles Town R (euth Mar 15) – “slab fracture”
Dig for Treasure, Mar 17, Charles Town S – “jaw/sinus”
Dr. Grant, Mar 18, Charles Town R – “fractured fetlock”
Classy Jean, Mar 19, Charles Town T – “fractured sesamoid”
Dr. Devera’s Way, Mar 25, Charles Town R – “fractured fetlock”
Jaxbradenrishi, Mar 31, Charles Town R (euth Apr 18) – “[multiple] fractures, avulsion”
unidentified, Apr 2, Mountaineer S – “colic”
Until Now, Apr 4, Charles Town T (euth Apr 8) – “fractured sesamoid”
Tivano, Apr 12, Charles Town S – “found deceased in morning” (five years old)
unidentified, Apr 15, Mountaineer S – “tetanus”
Upheaval, Apr 21, Charles Town R – “sustained fatal injury past finish line”
Sense of Music, Apr 23, Charles Town T – “bled both nostrils”
First Victory, Apr 24, Mountaineer R – “[multiple] fractures, ruptured ligaments”
Popizar, Apr 24, Mountaineer R – “comminuted scapula fracture”
Decreed, Apr 30, Charles Town S – “seizures” (raced in Mar)
Poppy’s Two Step, May 4, Charles Town R – “sudden death post-race” (10 years old)
What an Ox, May 9, Charles Town S – “laceration, founder” (raced in Mar)
Officer Slew, May 11, Charles Town T – “[multiple] fractures”
Quid Pro Quo, May 11, Charles Town T – “condylar fracture”
Vino Rojo, May 13, Charles Town T (euth May 14) – “slab fracture”
Sharpin, May 18, Mountaineer S – “colic” (had been raced 40 times)
Pigeon Forge, May 19, Charles Town R (euth May 20) – “slab fracture”
Blushing Mary, May 21, Charles Town T – “fractured pastern” (two years old)
Shamcat, May 25, Charles Town S – “stall [death]” (raced May 14)
Crossthebay, Jun 1, Mountaineer R – “luxated fetlock”
Driven to Succeed, Jun 2, Charles Town T – “condyle fracture”
Bought by Diva, Jun 17, Charles Town S – “colitis” (raced Jun 3)
Fighting Miss, Jun 18, Mountaineer T – “comminuted scapula fracture”
Bahamian Girl, Jun 23, Charles Town R (euth Jun 24) – “heatstroke, fractured pelvis”
Miss Fraulein, Jun 24, Charles Town S – “infection, laminitis”

Through a FOIA request to the West Virginia Racing Commission, I have confirmed the following kills at that state’s two tracks last year (this is part 2; part 1 here).

Please note: Originally, the Commission sent me but two deaths at Mountaineer for the second half of 2021 – but even more telling, nothing after July 27. I contested with this email: “Mr. Moore, where are the rest of Mountaineer’s deaths? There is nothing after July 27, yet that track, as you know, ran through the end of the year. If nothing else was reported to the Commission, an investigation is in order.”

Three weeks, another email, and a voicemail later, I received this response: “I have been working with management at Mountaineer to determine if there were any additional fatalities not initially reported by a Vet. We identified that there were 2 additional deaths. These deaths were not originally reported by [the] Racing Commission Vet due to them having not been during training activities or live racing.”

Okay. First, my request encompassed, as it always does, all deaths; Mr. Moore knows that, as he’s been at the helm since I started doing this in 2014. Second, and to the heart of the matter, there is simply no way Mountaineer, one of the worst racetracks in the country, recorded only four deaths from Jul 14 to Dec 31. No way. In any event, here is what I do have – including the first FOIA, 65 dead racehorses in West Virginia.

That’s for Sure, Jul 3, Charles Town R (euthanized Jul 28) – “tendon injury/infection”

Mercedes Machen, Jul 25, Mountaineer R – “tendon rupture”

Glorious Glitter, Jul 27, Mountaineer R – “slab fracture”

Big Boots, Aug 12, Charles Town R – “fractured sesamoid”

Mio Becoming, Aug 12, Charles Town R (euthanized Aug 18) – “slab fracture”

Becoming Smitty, Sep 9, Charles Town R – “fractured fetlock”

Little Leo, Sep 16, Charles Town R – “[multiple] fractures”

His Lordship, Sep 24, Charles Town T – “fractured shoulder”

Ask Me How Iknow, Sep 24, Charles Town R – “fractured MCIII”

Siente La Magia, Sep 25, Charles Town S – “founder” (had been raced seven times)

Return to Me, Sep 25, Charles Town T – “fractured shoulder”

Happy Saison, Sep 25, Charles Town T – “[multiple] fractures”

A P Rock, Sep 28, Charles Town T – “carpal fracture”

Grandpa Munster, Oct 13, Charles Town R – “fetlock fracture”

Majestic Siren, Oct 13, Mountaineer S – “laminitis in feet”

Infinite Reward, Oct 15, Charles Town R – “collapsed – sudden death” (three years old)

Red Hood, Oct 23, Charles Town T – “[multiple] fractures”

Jimmysextragirl, Oct 23, Charles Town R (euthanized Oct 25) – “carpal fracture”

Sir Longwood, Oct 27, Charles Town R (euthanized Nov 2) – “[multiple] fractures”

Brayden’swarrior, Nov 2, Charles Town T – “[multiple] fractures”

Hutter Mnt. Jake, Nov 10, Charles Town S – “EPM” (two years old, not yet raced)

Raised Wrong, Nov 25, Charles Town R – “fractured MCIII”

Flyover State, Dec 9, Charles Town R – “fractured MCIII”

Bahama Breeze, Dec 10, Charles Town R – “collapsed – pulmonary hemorrhage”

Hot Shot, Dec 12, Mountaineer S – “found dead in stall”

Kabikeka, Dec 16, Charles Town R – “collapsed – pulmonary hemorrhage”

Moonlit Night, Dec 25, Charles Town T – “fractured hock”

Through a FOIA request to the West Virginia Racing Commission, I have confirmed the following kills at that state’s two tracks thus far this year:

Pratti, Jan 14, Charles Town S – “founder”

All About Tap, Jan 14, Charles Town T – “fractured sesamoids”

Best Shot, Jan 20, Charles Town R – “complete pastern fracture”

Venetian Drive, Jan 28, Charles Town R – “fractured cannon”

Don’tmesswithbull, Jan 29, Charles Town R – “fractured sesamoids”

Mio’s Long Term, Feb 3, Charles Town R – “fractured cannon”

Parisian Diva, Feb 6, Charles Town T – “fractured tibia”

He’s a Gold Digger, Feb 17, Charles Town T – “heart attack” (seven years old, 56 races)

Classy Crossing, Feb 19, Charles Town S – “colic” (was raced Feb 12)

Paul’s Plunder, Feb 20, Charles Town R – “fractured cannon”

Tiz Johnnie, Feb 25, Charles Town R – “fractured sesamoids”

Lanesborough, Feb 27, Charles Town R – “fractured sesamoids”

Nicaloe, Feb 27, Charles Town R – “fractured cannon”

Ima Cat Genius, Mar 3, Charles Town T – “tendon tear”

Ultimate Justice, Mar 6, Charles Town T – “sudden death” (four years old)

Uncle Funky, Mar 10, Charles Town R – “compound fetlock fracture”

Pacific Gold, Mar 13, Charles Town S – “colic” (two years old, was raced Mar 4)

Shamrock Kid, Mar 17, Charles Town T – “fractured sesamoids”

Wiggle It Jiggleit, Mar 24, Charles Town R – “fractured cannon, fetlock”

Ready to Translate, Apr 7, Mountaineer T – “fractured sesamoid”

Class Ruler, Apr 8, Charles Town T – “[multiple] fractures” (last raced Sep 2019)

Magicians Diva, Apr 9, Charles Town R – “fractured carpus”

Comeonbetsy, Apr 18, Mountaineer S – “head wound” (was raced Mar 4)

Smiling Angelo, Apr 26, Mountaineer R – “fractured sesamoid, [ruptured] ligament”

Chromatic, Apr 29, Charles Town R (euthanized Apr 30) – “[fractured] pelvis”

Bumpa, May 3, Mountaineer T – “slab fracture”

Hero of Haven, May 10, Mountaineer R – “fractured sesamoid, ruptured ligament”

My Emmally, May 14, Charles Town R – “collapsed and died” (four years old)

Captain Machen, May 19, Mountaineer R – “fractured sesamoids”

Sir Kowboy, May 19, Mountaineer R – “fracture, tear”

Weaving You Behind, May 27, Charles Town R – “fractured sesamoids”

Horseyoucameinon, Jun 2, Charles Town T – “fractured both [italics added] tibias”

Shortlister, Jun 3, Charles Town R (euthanized Jun 24) – “fractured cannon”

B’s Wild Man, Jun 16, Mountaineer R – “severed spinal cord”

Dynamic Miss, Jun 16, Mountaineer R – “flexor rupture”

Laurel Lad, Jun 23, Charles Town S – “EPM” (was raced Jun 17)

yet-to-be-named 2-year-old, Jul 3, Mountaineer T – “fractured radius”

Continental Clash, Jul 13, Mountaineer R – “fractured sesamoid”

Through a FOIA request to the West Virginia Racing Commission, I have confirmed the following kills at that state’s two tracks in 2020. (This is part 2; part 1 here.)

Cecilia’s a Gem, Jul 8, Mountaineer R – “fractured condyle, [ruptured] ligament”

Pumpkin, Jul 14, Charles Town S – “colic, toxic”

Mighty Bop, Jul 23, Charles Town R – “fractured sesamoids” (67th race)

Supercharged, Jul 25, Charles Town R – “fractured tibia” (1st race)

Bird Call, Aug 4, Mountaineer R – “lung hemorrhage” (chart said “fell into the rail”)

Cowboy’s Plan, Aug 27, Charles Town R – “injured in paddock [before race]”

Major Medallist, Aug 28, Charles Town R – “fractured fetlock”

Beautiful B, Sep 1, Mountaineer R – “rupture”

Rich Tradition, Sep 2, Mountaineer T – “comminuted humerus”

Island Rock, Sep 5, Charles Town R – “complete, compound pastern fracture” (1st race)

First Talent, Sep 21, Mountaineer T – “fractured sesamoid, [ruptured] ligament”

Evan’s Chile, Sep 24, Charles Town R – “fractured LF leg”

Windsor Legend, Sep 25, Charles Town S – “founder” (had been raced 52 times)

Castle Ridge, Oct 1, Charles Town R – “fractured sesamoids”

Frikitona, Oct 2, Charles Town T – “multiple fractures” (being prepped for debut)

Ominous, Oct 7, Mountaineer T – “details unknown”

Sir Majesty, Oct 9, Charles Town R – “fractured LF leg”

Encantado, Oct 10, Charles Town T (euthanized Oct 24) – “fractured sesamoids”

Infinitypowersiwin, Oct 13, Charles Town S – “natural death” (was only three; had been raced just 4 days prior – finished last, 23 lengths back)

Global First, Oct 22, Charles Town T – “fractured RF leg”

Stand Alone Dennis, Nov 8, Mountaineer R – “fractured fetlock”

Two in the Bush, Nov 19, Charles Town R – “fractured pastern”

W W Archie, Nov 20, Charles Town S – “anaphylactic shock”

Im a Patriot, Nov 23, Mountaineer R – “compound, comminuted fracture”

Birthday Baby, Nov 25, Charles Town T – “fractured tibula” (being prepped for debut)

Uncle Jessie, Nov 25, Charles Town R (euthanized Nov 30) – “double slab fracture”

Correjon, Nov 26, Charles Town R (euthanized Dec 2) – “slab fracture”

Something Great, Nov 28, Charles Town T – “fractured shoulder”

Ride On Mason, Dec 1, Mountaineer R (euthanized Dec 2) – “fractured C3”

Beat Navy, Dec 3, Charles Town R – “slab fracture”

Profit’s Cause, Dec 7, Mountaineer R – “fractured multiple bones”

Father’s Luck, Dec 8, Charles Town S – “founder, all four feet” (just four years old)

Mesmerizingpegasus, Dec 11, Charles Town R – “fractured carpus”

Tbtwelve, Dec 23, Mountaineer R – “fractured sesamoid, [ruptured] ligament”