As HW activists stood in protest out front, inside, Laurel Park and this whole vile industry was busy killing, again. The 7th today: “Esterina [was] bumped and forced in leaving the starting gate, pulled up lame in the left hind leg and was euthanized” (Equibase). Esterina was three; ’twas her 12th time under the whip.

The 4th at Aqueduct yesterday, as described by the Equibase writer: “Quizzical Cajun bobbled near the nine-sixteenths suffering a catastrophic injury, got placed to a firm protective hold and was expertly pulled up by the rider, then was subsequently euthanized on track.”

The jockey, Jose Lezcano, is praised for the “expertly” way he handled a doomed horse he had a direct hand in dooming. But it’s not the first time we’ve seen this in NYRA write-ups. In fact, just this past Monday at “The Big A,” Dark N Cloudy was said to have “vied with vigour” before dying in the dirt. Not sure if the same writer, but contemptible doesn’t begin to describe this person (these people).

The 3-year-old Quizzical, by the way, is the 9th horse killed in NY (since the Gaming Commission began disclosing such things) with Lezcano at the whip. And that’s just NY; surely he’s been atop other kills around the country.

According to Equibase, Secreto Primero was “pulled up in distress and vanned off” in the 4th at Turf January 8. He is in fact dead – euthanized, say the stewards, for broken sesamoids. Secreto was seven years old and under the whip for the 41st time.

Indian Brew, on the other hand, apparently finished his race without incident on the 13th. After “walking off,” however, “exam and radiographs found [a] fractured right knee – euthanized.” Indian Brew was two and under the whip for just the 2nd time.

This is horseracing – every day.

As the Stronachs and Gulfstream ready for their big day tomorrow – the $3 million Pegasus – today it was but business as usual. About two hours ago, in the 2nd race of the day, this for the 2-year-old filly Strong Performance: “…fell while in distress nearing the seven sixteenths pole and euthanized” (Equibase). What are the odds for a moment of silence before the Pegasus goes off tomorrow? Please. This (relatively) cheap horse has already been forgotten. Vile – to the core.

The California Horse Racing Board has disclosed the following kills:

Katies Easy Moves at Los Alamitos Sunday. Katies was “injured and vanned off” after finishing 4th (and “winning” $600 for his people) in the 6th race, and subsequently euthanized. He was six years old and under the whip for the 38th time.

Super Beauty at Golden Gate Saturday. The Board says “gastrointestinal,” but curiously the 2-year-old filly was, according to Equibase, “worked out” that day.

As California Racing continues to tell the world how they are leading the way on safety reforms, the bodies continue to pile up. Thus far, 2020:

Ruby Roundhouse, Jan 1, Los Alamitos S – “gastrointestinal”
Golden Birthday, Jan 1, Santa Anita R – “took a bad step” (broken leg)
Elegant Sundown, Jan 5, Golden Gate R – “catastrophic injury…euthanized in the van”
Jest Famous, Jan 7, Los Alamitos S – “gastrointestinal”
Buckstopper Kit, Jan 7, Santa Anita S
Eyell Be Back, Jan 10, Los Alamitos R (euthanized Jan 12) – “carpus”
Harliss, Jan 17, Santa Anita R – “fractured RF ankle”
Super Beauty, Jan 18, Golden Gate T – “gastrointestinal”
Uncontainable, Jan 18, Santa Anita R – “fractured ankle”
Katies Easy Moves, Jan 19, Los Alamitos R – “fetlock”
Tikkun Olam, Jan 19, Santa Anita T – “head-on collision”