Samurai Zip is 12 years old. Yesterday, this poor soul was raced at Presque Isle, his 75th time under the whip. When I highlight these long-suffering racehorses, in some cases the apologists will argue, “but they’re still competitive.” (For the…
A couple of notes from yesterday’s charts… In the 3rd race at Canterbury, Poverty Flats was “roughed at the start,” then, after being “steadied by his rider,” “hit the rail and was pulled up.” I note that this poor animal…
The unconscionable abuse of Fox Rox (previous posts here) is set to resume Monday, the Fourth, at Presque Isle. It will be the 11-year-old’s 118th time under the whip. Presque Isle racing office: 866-374-3386 (option 2)
Yesterday: In the 7th at Ruidoso, 3-year-old Apolitical Eagle “went wrong” and was “vanned off” – terminology that almost always means dead. (I will confirm.) But there was more fun to be had there: No fewer than 20 horses exchanged…
Last evening, I reported on the killing of True Hero at Thistledown. As mentioned, this poor baby never had a chance, finishing a combined 60+ lengths back in his only two races prior to yesterday. While the rational world sees…
In the 1st at Thistledown Monday, Qualifly “gave way late and returned bleeding from the nostrils” – which is indicative, of course, of pulmonary hemorrhage. While this is by no means unusual, I bring it to your attention because the…
According to the chart, Bootdaddy Justice fell and was “vanned off” in the 5th at Horseshoe (the rechristened Indiana Grand) yesterday. While the chart did not make mention of it, the announcer relayed that Bootdaddy was “fractious” while being loaded.…
Fox On the Run at Thistledown yesterday: “had good early speed inside, suffered an injury at the half mile marker, was pulled up and euthanized.” This one line is a perfect microcosm of general industry callousness – a fully sentient…
At Ruidoso last evening, two horses “bled” and were “vanned off” in the same race. Nolans Moon (who “won”) and Max Talker are each but two years old, equine babies. The former was under the whip for the very first…
In the 3rd at Delta yesterday, The Geauxt “proved best” (won), but then was “injured after wire and vanned off” – a phrasing that almost always portends death.
Recent notes from the stewards at Churchill. Apr 30: “The claim of Vasilevskiy was voided when horse was placed on Vet’s List.” May 3: “The claim of Regal Retort was voided when horse was placed on Vet’s List.” “Laynlomakndough finished…
Salt On the Rim was made on January 30, 2010. Her first time going under the whip came three years later, in March 2013. 100 – yes, 100 – races have followed, all at cheap tracks: Tampa Bay, Presque Isle,…
