From yesterday: 3-year-old Flashfire was “reluctant to load” prior to the 4th at Canterbury, was raced anyway, pulled up in the stretch, and subsequently “vanned off.” 4-year-old Smitten by Kitten was “fractious in the gate” prior to the 10th at…
Various direct quotes from those within and around the racing industry: “We can always replace a horse but we can’t replace drivers.” – Laurie Dudka, co-owner of a horse who broke her neck in a race at Saratoga Harness, Apr…
“[He is the] most deplorable person I have encountered on the backstretch of a racetrack.” – former PA racing commissioner, Thoroughbred Daily News, 8/19/22 While I’m clearly no Bob Baffert apologist, I’ve long maintained that criticism of him, by media…
Today’s installment of the Lie of “they’re like family,” “love ’em like children”: As reported yesterday, Show Your Cards suffered a “stall accident” at Del Mar Aug 3 and was euthanized. Dead, at two. After, one of his owners posted…
A quick review on the trainer Keri Brion: After her horse Baltimore Bucko was killed at Belmont last September, Brion said this: “I understand how uneducated people right away are like, ‘I hate watching these races and I hate seeing…
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…
