Today, at the hellhole known as Camarero in Puerto Rico, 12-year-old Hipocrates is scheduled to be raced for the 180th time (all at Camarero). I repeat, 180th time. Worse still, over his past 10 races, Hipocrates has finished a combined…
More harness madness… Meadows, Aug 25: “Jeremy Indof used his whip [on] Annapolis Hanover after crossing the finish line. Mr. Indof is fined $200.” Hoosier, Sep 1: “While driving Toxic Rock, driver Michael Oosting did welt the horse. Mr. Oosting…
Kentucky Downs holds what is called a boutique meet, running only seven days a year. It also boasts some of the highest purses in America. How? Well, The Mint Gaming Hall – a racino – has a whole lot to…
More of the obscenity that is horseracing subsidization… Parx, again, is a racino, with slots money not only jacking up overall purses but also allowing first-last payouts. Here’s what that looked like Wednesday: race 1:Alonzo Mosely finished 19.75 lengths back;…
In these week’s harness rulings, along with the usual “excessive whipping” violations, there were these under “Minor Penalties” (along with things like “Failure to Drive When Programmed”): Jason James Bartlett, Yonkers, Jul 26: Fined $500 for “Kicking a Horse” Keith…
From the stewards at Ellis Park… Aug 11:“The claim of Sensical was voided when horse was placed on Vet’s List.” “Jump Into the Fire returned lame and required the horse ambulance; placed on See Vet List.” (Equibase chart said nothing…
Belterra in Ohio is a taxpayer-funded racino, with the free-flowing cash from slot machines also allowing first-last payouts. Now, consider these results from Tuesday: race 1: Marvin’s Express finished last, 27+ lengths back; “connections” (Jennifer Tooley, et al.) pocketed $801.…
On Jan 10 of this year, Boat Over the Hill brought up the rear – 18 lengths back – in a cheap ($5,000) claiming race at Parx. This race, turns out, came just eight days after the last one –…
Explain was raced four times this year, all at Parx – a track that because of the gift of taxpayer funding is able to pay first-last – and all under trainer Patrick Ashton: Jan 18: 28+ lengths back, “far behind…
Magic Lemons was euthanized at Belterra May 21 for a “suspected complete small colon obstruction.” Here are her final four races, starting in Feb, all at Turfway – where they pay first-last – and all under the loving hand of…
Some of the weekly harness rulings: Northfield, Aug 6: “Christopher Russo was observed striking a horse with a head pole after race 5. He is hereby fined $1,000 and suspended for 30 days. The penalty will be reduced to a…
The final races of Akuna Matata: 5/24/20: last, 16+ lengths back6/14/20: last, 34+ lengths back1/15/21: second-to-last, 19+ lengths back2/11/21: second-to-last, 10+ lengths back3/5/21: last, 24+ lengths back (“trailed throughout”)3/24/21: last, 30 lengths back (“trailed throughout”) Then, nothing for two years.…
