Let’s start with the obvious: All horseracing is animal abuse. All of it – no matter the form, no matter the level, no matter the country, no matter the state, no matter the “connections.” Horseracing is inherently cruel. Period. But…
Yesterday, at three of the (only) five tracks active (Equibase): In the 3rd at Parx, Creative Genius was “reluctant to load.” In the 5th at Parx, Gunfighter’s Girl “reared up badly at the break.” In the 1st at Sunland, Pain…
The 9th at Fair Grounds Friday, according to Equibase: “MISS YOU JO clipped heels with BAND BOSS…then fell and was struck by two foes from behind before regaining his feet, went off the wrong way for about a quarter-mile before…
In the 5th at Hawthorne yesterday, R Rocket Man, says the (Equibase) chartwriter, “[was] restless in the gate before the start, settled near the inside, was pulled up nearing midstretch, then was vanned off the course.” Later, in the 8th…
This from the Los Alamitos stewards for September 15: “Jockey BRYAN [sic] PENA was in to answer as to why he had to hit his horse during the post parade. Mr. Pena stated that his horse was acting up. After…
The video speaks for itself:
The latest Stewards Reports from Delaware Park reveal the following: “Consultation with trainer Claudio Gonzalez with reference to a ‘sudden death’ on July 1st.” The victim, alas, was not disclosed; I will make inquiries. Wednesday, the stewards reported a temperature…
From the Stewards Report for the Radnor Hunt Steeplechase in Pennsylvania May 18: “DAPPER DAN fell at the 12th fence.” “Both BALISTES and MUTIN fell at the 11th fence. The course vet reported that BALISTES was bleeding from the nose…
Sunday, I reported on Ardrahan’s death at the Grand National in Maryland. The Equibase note – “fell, euthanized” – was, however, not entirely accurate. Yes, Ardrahan is indeed dead, but the recently released Stewards Report says this: “ADRAHAN [sic] was…
Girlie’s Dream’s first time under the whip came as a 2-year-old on November 3, 2017. The result: second-to-last, 21 lengths back. From there, more of the same: Nov 24 – second-to-last, 31 back Dec 9 – last, 17+ back Jan…
In the final race at Penn Thursday, the Equibase writer relayed this: “GIRLIE’S DREAM got jostled around a bit at the start and bumped into LADY VOODOO in the process, was hustled into stride but showed no interest in accelerating,…
Animal abuse at Penn, again. From Equibase: “ANNA RAE had a comfortable lead most of the way while cruising in the two and three paths, came up empty at the quarter pole all while being struck by the whip thirty…
