Reported (on the official chart) as “fell, vanned off” in the 5th at Gulfstream yesterday, 3-year-old Cheers for Sidney is in fact dead – euthanized, according to the Paulick Report, “due to her injuries.” Of course, the only reason Paulick…
In the past week, Ray Paulick, industry apologist extraordinaire, published obituaries on two highly successful racehorses: 1992 Preakness winner and $2 million earner Pine Bluff (“old age”) and “champion sire” (“112 stakes winners, 12 Champions, 4 Breeders’ Cup winners and…
Two horses were left dead in the same Tampa Bay race (6th) yesterday afternoon: After 5-year-old Wild Kiss went down about halfway through, two trailing horses, 3-year-olds Iron Media and Track Telling, fell over their dying “rival.” Iron Media did…
The Daily Racing Form (via the stewards) reports that 8-year-old El Commodore is dead from a “pelvis injury” sustained during the 4th at Santa Anita yesterday. In all, the gelding was put to the whip 37 times, earning over a…
The NYS Gaming Commission reports that 2-year-old Summer Hawk is dead after breaking down while “breezing” (training) at Belmont Park yesterday. Prior to dying, the colt had been put to the whip five times, most recently at Aqueduct in January.…
On the central matter of “casualties” and “catastrophic breakdowns,” while drugs, pre-existing injuries, track conditions, etc. are all certainly relevant, the simple truth is that the maiming and destruction of racehorses is inherent to the industry. Death at the track…
With the death Thursday of Risk the Moon, Aqueduct Racetrack has now lost 21 “equine athletes” since Halloween: 5-year-old Summer Sunset, Oct 31, race 2 (fractured leg) 4-year-old Jesses Giant Dunk, Oct 31, race 3 (ruptured ligament) 4-year-old Knockher Off,…
Three horses were reported “broke down” Saturday; all can safely be presumed dead: In the 4th at Fair Grounds, 3-year-old Lookin At Daisy, “was coaxed along on the outside…broke down nearing the furlong marker…” The colt was “For Sale” at…
I have confirmed that 4-year-old Hecky Dorn, who was listed as “broke down, vanned off” in a $3,500 claiming race March 2nd at Mahoning, was euthanized. The pathetic creature was trained by Anthony Lowry and owned by M.Y. Stables. Also,…
Two more dead racehorses: In yesterday’s 5th at Aqueduct, 3-year-old Risk the Moon “broke down approaching the sixteenth pole and was euthanized.” Prior to dying, Risk the Moon had been put to the whip three other times – all at…
I have confirmed that both horses who were reported vanned off in the 3rd last night at Charles Town are in fact dead. 2-year-old Lovin It, who fell on the first turn, was euthanized on the track; 3-year-old Fuzz, who…
A recent Daily Racing Form article ran this headline: “Horse fatalities decline at California tracks.” At first blush, positive news. But… Turns out, while fatalities dropped 5% from ’12-’13 to ’13-’14, there were also “across-the-board declines in race days, starters,…
