A ruling from Delaware (edited for clarity and brevity; all emphases mine): “Alison Escobar appeared before the Board of Stewards at Delaware Park in the matter of his horse Ashiham. The Stewards were concerned for the health and welfare of…
The repugnant Keri Brion – here, here – tweeted this video of one of her trainees, 6-year-old The Mean Queen. While compassionate people see animal abuse – an intelligent, social being locked alone in a concrete cell, and, by the…
While doing a search on the animal abuser Luke Plano, I came upon a recent Daily Racing Form interview with his father, Rick, also a harness racer. Some excerpts illustrating (again) how disconnected these people are. Q: What is your…
From the fatuity files… Last week, Lisa Lazarus, CEO of the oxymoronic “Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority,” spoke with WAMC in Albany, with the interview, of course, centering on HISA’s recent rollout. While most of it is forgettable, one exchange…
On January 6, trainer Juan Vazquez shipped his horse Shining Colors from Belmont to Parx; three days later, Shining was euthanized for a “severe, chronic case of laminitis.” Pennsylvania ruled that Vazquez was “grossly negligent, cruel, and abusive” and suspended…
Back in November, I reported on the death of Ekhtibaar: “found DOA [inside] van at Belmont…cause of death unknown.” Ekhtibaar was being shipped from Parx. His trainer: Juan Vazquez. Less than two months later, Vazquez struck again. On January 6,…
Last evening, I reported on the killing of True Hero at Thistledown. As mentioned, this poor baby never had a chance, finishing a combined 60+ lengths back in his only two races prior to yesterday. While the rational world sees…
Two more victims of the New York Racing Association (NYRA), as disclosed by the Gaming Commission: Life Is Great, Tuesday at Belmont: “had a sudden death [while] recovering from surgery.” In all likelihood, the surgery had something to do with…
When is an advocate not really an advocate? Or perhaps the better question, when we are discussing an advocate (I’m talking to you media), shouldn’t we at least identify for whom the advocacy is aimed? A recent Fox Harrisburg article…
The Preakness, of course, is Saturday in Baltimore. The weather, however, is not cooperating: Forecast calls for high 90s with a heat index well over 100. Will the race be canceled? Not on your life. This is, after all, one…
Again, it’s not even close to being the worst of it, but… Word comes that Sonny Leon, the “winning” jockey in the Derby, is currently serving a four-day suspension in Ohio for “careless riding” in an April 27 race at…
Rich Strike’s trainer, Eric Reed, on the “controversy” at the end of the Derby Saturday (from an interview with Today): “I want to clear that up. The outrider’s job at the end of the race is to help get the…
