Don’tmesswithbull’s run in the 5th at Charles Town last night, as relayed by Equibase: “chased the pace while looking for a clear path, but suffered a fatal injury and was taken to the outside into the turn, then euthanized on the track.” Does this sound familiar? It should, for I reported the exact same thing, at that same track just yesterday. Odds are pretty good that some of the same “fans” were there both nights. It is a certainty that multiple of the same people bet on Charles Town races both nights. Do you think any of them suffer from pangs of regret after watching two of these beautiful animals get killed right there in plain view on back-to-back nights? I wonder. Don’tmesswithbull was four; this was his 4th time under the whip.

The 3rd at Charles Town last night, as relayed by Equibase: “VENETIAN DRIVE was fatally injured shortly after the start and had to be euthanized on the track.” She was five, and this was her 16th time under the whip. Tellingly, in her penultimate race, January 6, she finished 32+ lengths back. Also, nearly two years into her “career,” she was still being raced at the “maiden claiming” level (had yet to “win”) and cheaply at that (“For Sale” at $4,500 prior to dying last night). Owner/trainer, Donovan Raymond.

The CHRB has disclosed the training death of Staredown this morning at Golden Gate. He was three and had been under the whip four times – the most recent, 11 days ago: last, 13+ lengths back. Blaine Wright, trainer. Todd & Shawn Hansen, owners.

Rub My Belly in the 1st today at Gulfstream: “chased early inside, went wrong suffering a catastrophic injury to the right front entering the stretch….” This was the 2-year-old’s 2nd time under the whip.

Again, this is horseracing.

Beautifulstreetcat in the 3rd today at Mahoning: “was bumped at the start, suffered a catastrophic injury at the nine sixteenths pole, was pulled up then euthanized.” Beautifulstreetcat was three; ’twas her 3rd time under the whip.

This is horseracing.