Some news from the California Horse Racing Board: At Cal Expo (harness), “Driver James Kennedy appeared in the Stewards office to review his drive in the fifth race on Saturday, February 21, 2015. Driver Kennedy was aboard #1 ‘All American…
Family fun from the last couple days at the races: In the 3rd Wednesday at Mountaineer, “WHIMSICAL KATE broke well and battled for the early lead…gave way inside the eighth pole, used up. VISCIOUS CIRCLE was hard used early vying…
A family-fun Sunday at Fair Grounds in Louisiana: In the 1st, “TRIDENT HERO…proved best [won] under a right-handed whip”; “UNION EXPRESS [who placed] was urged along while off the pace…came under a right-handed whip…was switched to a left-handed whip…” “proved…
The CHRB has confirmed the death of Sunny One at Golden Gate. Apparently, the 5-year-old was found dead in his stall on November 29th, just two days after finishing 2nd in a GG race. His trainer was Alex Sywak, his…
Rulings from the Indiana Horse Racing Commission: For abuses committed against QuarterHorses: 5/31/14, Aron Hunt, “Whip-excessive” – $200 fine, no suspension 6/13/14, Christian Esqueda, “Whip-indiscriminate” – $250 fine, no suspension 7/11/14, Julian Serrano, “Whip-excessive” – $200 fine, no suspension For…
In its most recently released rulings, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission has cited the following harness drivers: Norman Robbins, “Indiscriminate Use of Whip” – $50 fine, 5-day suspension Chris Page, “Indiscriminate Use of Whip” – $500 fine, no suspension Daniel…
Santa Anita has announced a new whipping rule for its upcoming Fall meet – no more than three consecutive strikes, then wait for a “response” before whipping can resume. Santa Anita’s president says (DRF, 9/2/14), “It’s good for the horse,…
5-year-old Gingerbred Girl’s last place finish in a $5,000 claiming race Saturday at Suffolk Downs was described thus: “Gingerbred Girl trailed, lost contact with the field before the half-mile pole and was put to strong right-handed whipping to the final…
An open question to Art Sherman, Perry Martin, Steve Coburn, the 100,000 fans in attendance, the millions more watching around the world, indeed, all who were seduced by NBC’s shameful coverage: How to explain, justify, defend this? (pick up around…
From this week’s Santa Anita Stewards Report: (5/22/14) EDWIN OROZCO was in the office this morning in response to a complaint filed against him for his actions on a difficult horse during training hours yesterday. According to Safety Steward LUIS…
Horses, the apologists say, are born to run, love to run; the modern Thoroughbred is the most exquisite of athletes, sleek and powerful, with, most importantly, an instinctive will to compete. Ignore, they continue, the diminutive humans perched atop, for…
From the UK comes word that 10-year-old Thoroughbred Mad Moose (below) has been “banned” by the British Horseracing Authority for, as Horse & Hound (1/13/14) puts it, “being reluctant and refusing to race one too many times.” In his last…
