Everyday Cruelty

According to the chart for the 1st at Delta yesterday, Last Native Cat “took a bad step, fell, and was vanned off.” While we won’t know for sure till my FOIA…

11-year-old King’s House was raced again yesterday at Parx. It came less than two weeks after his last race, and was his 111th overall. He came in last, but Parx being a racino flush with non-racing-related cash, pays first-last. So,…

From the stewards at Golden Gate, Jan 13-16: Laura Mars, scratched – “unsound” Moonlightnwine, scratched – “sick” Govenor’s Party, scratched – “sick” Autisms World, scratched – “unsound” Mistical Surprise, scratched – “sick” Dr Pescado, scratched – “sick” Damn the Torpedoes,…

Various chart notes from Santa Anita yesterday: Violent Storm “brushed the gate” Little Rachel “never responded to urging [whipping, that is]” Maven “bumped leaving the gate” Winding “bumped leaving the gate” Ted “clipped heels” Agree to Settle “bumped leaving the…

According to the chart, 3-year-old Pop Pop Susi “went bad” (the track announcer said, “amiss”) in the 1st at Penn Friday night. Here is what that looked like: Confirmation will have to wait for my FOIA, but…

The following horses were scratched by the track vet over just five days of racing (Jan 6-8, Jan 13, Jan 15) at Santa Anita: Wirly Girly, injured Niles Channel, injured Elusive Class, injured Rip City, sick Ring General, sick Classier,…

The following on the Hejazi pics from yesterday comes from a former racehorse owner with a lifetime of experience working with horses. (This person prefers to remain anonymous.) I’ve reposted the photos and another showing the bit in question. Again,…

The following pictures are of 2-year-old Hejazi Sunday at Santa Anita. Is this what the racing people mean by “pampered”?

The 11th at Gulfstream yesterday was 2-year-old Deliziosa’s very first race. Here, according to the chartwriter, is how it unfolded: “Deliziosa was fractious in the gate, broke awkwardly, trailed inside, slammed into the rail multiple times [below] early on the…

From the stewards at Turfway, over just five days of racing (Dec 22-31): “The claim of Chimaev was voided when horse was placed on Vet’s List.” (first race) “Elvis Just Elvis bled and required the horse ambulance.” “The claim of…

Today (2:37) at Parx, the soon-to-be-12-year-old King’s House will be put to the whip for the 110th time. Imagine the condition of this poor animal’s body, not to mention his mind (from being locked away in tiny stalls for years).…

The following were vet-scratched from races at Los Alamitos over just two days: Makah Lane, injured Mi Santo, unsound Aberdeen’s Knight, injured Baby Gronk, ongoing vet concerns (by stewards) Think of Anita, injured Lovely Evening, flipped in gate Kiss Thru…