In the 2nd at Finger Lakes August 13, Frosty Millions brought up the rear, some 21 lengths back; the Equibase note: “showed nothing.” Turns out, she was actually “vanned off” (how, pray tell, did the chartwriter miss that?), and, it further turns out, she is dead – euthanized, says the Gaming Commission, for “unresolved splint and suspencery [sic] injuries.” Frosty Millions was six; ’twas her 51st time under the whip.

To date, 10 horses have died at Finger Lakes this year – but 7 in just the past 5+ weeks.

Bonafide Bandit, Mar 26, stall – “cast in stall”
Owen’s Express, Apr 2, training – “fractured right shoulder”
Facade, May 11, stall – “colic”
Ransom Note, Jul 10, racing – “fractured 3rd carpel”
D Emcee, Jul 12, training – “fractured sesamoid necessitating euthanasia”
She’sakittykat, Jul 12, stall – “laminitis”
Fabulous Prince, Jul 15, racing – “flipped in the gate, skull fracture”
Avon Gold, Aug 3, training – “suffered a fracture to the pastern”
Frosty Millions, Aug 13, racing – “unresolved injuries”
It’s Flashy, Aug 17, training – “expired after breezing”

Sunday, according to Equibase, Bronco Brown “went over the outside rail” in the 7th race at the Humboldt County Fair (Ferndale). That was the extent of the notes. Turns out, the 4-year-old is dead – euthanized for undisclosed injuries. In a press release, Fair publicist Ellis Davis spent six paragraphs on the dinged-up jockey (“a hard-working and well-respected rider…”), but just a single sentence on the dead horse: “Bronco Brown had to be euthanized following Sunday’s accident.” Oh, how they care.

Since “SB-469” became law on June 26, 13 horses have died at California tracks:

No New Friends, dead racing at Pleasanton June 30
Sandra Smiles, dead training at Pleasanton July 7

Charge a Bunch, dead training at Del Mar July 18
Carson Valley, dead training at Del Mar July 18
Bowl of Soul, dead training at Del Mar July 29
unidentified, dead back in stall at Del Mar July 31-August 4
Bri Bri, dead training at Del Mar August 12

unidentified, dead back in stall at Los Alamitos July 8-July 14
Cuervo Foose, dead racing at Los Alamitos July 20
Always Checking, dead racing at Los Alamitos August 17

Black Site, dead racing at Santa Rosa August 1
It’s The Ice, dead racing at Santa Rosa August 8

Bronco Brown, dead racing at Ferndale August 18

In the latest Stewards Minutes for the Sonoma County Fair (Santa Rosa), we learn that It’s The Ice was scratched from the 4th race August 8 because “[he] got loose from pony, hit ¼ pole chute – deceased.” It’s The Ice was six years old, and ‘twould have been his 35th time under the whip.

California “SB-469” passed both chambers unanimously (118-0) and was signed into law by Governor Newsom on June 26. A direct result of Santa Anita’s most recent killing season (36 dead horses), the new law gives the California Horse Racing Board the authority to “at any time, immediately suspend a license to conduct a racing meeting when necessary to protect the health and safety of the horses or riders that are present at the racing meeting. The suspension shall remain in effect until the board determines that the matters jeopardizing the health and safety of the horses or riders…have been adequately addressed.” Well.

Since the June 26 enactment, this:

No New Friends, dead racing at Pleasanton June 30
Sandra Smiles, dead training at Pleasanton July 7

Charge a Bunch, dead training at Del Mar July 18
Carson Valley, dead training at Del Mar July 18
Bowl of Soul, dead training at Del Mar July 29
unidentified, dead back in stall at Del Mar July 31-August 4
Bri Bri, dead training at Del Mar August 12

unidentified, dead back in stall at Los Alamitos July 8-July 14
Cuervo Foose, dead racing at Los Alamitos July 20
Always Checking, dead racing at Los Alamitos August 17

Black Site, dead racing at Santa Rosa August 1
It’s The Ice, dead racing at Santa Rosa August 8

So the question becomes: What level of killing has to be achieved, CHRB, before you act? Three dead horses? Six? 12? 30? Please.