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Through a FOIA request to the Louisiana State Racing Commission, I have confirmed the following kills on that state’s tracks in 2019. As if anticipating my annual question, the response came with this note: “The Louisiana State Racing Commission does not track or maintain a list of deaths that occur during training hours as those are more often than not handled between the trainer and their private veterinarian.” Neither, of course, did I receive stall deaths. So, the true carnage at Louisiana racetracks is much greater than the 60 I am reporting. (This is Part 2; Part 1 here.)

(“comminuted” – bone shatters into several/many pieces; “open/compound” – break causes open wound, bone has torn through the skin; “displaced” – ends of the snapped bone no longer line up; “disarticulation” – bones are separated at the joint)

Hold the Mic, Jan 4, Delta R – “[multiple] fractures”

Hawaiian Appeal, Jan 31, Delta R – “post exertional distress, sudden death”

Don’t Tell Sarah, Apr 4, Evangeline R – “suspensory rupture”

Gg’s Gracefulgabby, Apr 12, Evangeline R – “sudden death”

Keeneway, May 3, Evangeline R – “comminuted, compound, displaced, open fracture”

Dancing Soldier, May 6, Louisiana R – “comminuted, displaced, acute fracture”

Starlite Patriot, May 11, Delta R – “radius fracture”

Mr. Carlos, May 17, Evangeline R – “sesamoid fracture”

Carolyn’s Cactus, May 22, Louisiana R – “carpal fracture”

Canek, May 25, Delta R – “sesamoid fracture”

Sidneyway, May 27, Louisiana R – “sudden death” (four years old)

A Certified Heart, May 30, Delta R – “carpal fracture”

Zoomin for Chablis, Jun 6, Delta R – “displaced fracture”

Guardianne, Jun 7, Delta R – “neurologic, paresis/paralysis”

Tressels Going Grand, Jun 8, Delta R (euthanized Jun 9) – “unknown”

Calmack, Jun 10, Louisiana R – “disarticulation – severe, acute”

Honest Bandit, Jun 11, Louisiana R (euthanized Jun 12) – “acute condylar fracture”

Spicey Corona, Jun 15, Delta R – “neurologic, paresis/paralysis”

Soul Seekin, Jun 15, Louisiana R – “acute slab fracture”

Kool Yankee, Jun 19, Louisiana R – “displaced, acute sesamoid fracture”

Special Results, Jun 20, Delta R – “MCIII fracture”

D W Washburn, Jun 27, Evangeline R – “sesamoid fracture”

Avery Lynn, Jul 3, Louisiana R (euthanized Jul 4) – “unknown – Grade 3 lame”

Pilotoshinning, Jul 6, Delta R – “compound, open fracture”

Livertadora, Jul 27, Louisiana R – “displaced, acute sesamoid fracture”

Tylers Bandit, Jul 31, Evangeline R – “multiple displaced fractures”

Brutus Hughes, Aug 22, Evangeline R – “comminuted, displaced, open fracture”

Awesome Pennies, Aug 29, Evangeline R – “neurologic, paresis/paralysis” (first race)

Ks Alabama Cartel, Sep 6, Fair Grounds R – “scapula fracture”

Track Binder, Oct 11, Delta R – “comminuted, displaced fracture”

Boogie N Bacardi, Oct 18, Delta R – “P1/P2 fracture”

Wicked Proud, Nov 1, Delta R – “sesamoid fracture”

Cajun Star, Nov 9, Delta R – “P1/P2 fracture”

Doc’s Rocket, Nov 13, Delta R – “compound, displaced, open fracture”

She’sasweet Deputy, Nov 21, Delta R – “sesamoid fracture”

Eos Shez My Secret, Nov 22, Evangeline R – “open, severe disarticulation”

Sheza Piloto Habit, Nov 23, Evangeline R – “comminuted, displaced fracture”

Thf Mr Lincoln, Nov 26, Evangeline R – “carpal fracture”

Too Deadly, Nov 26, Evangeline R – “skull/spine fracture – displaced”

Painted Train, Dec 6, Evangeline R – “comminuted, compound, displaced, open”

Sea Bee Salute, Dec 8, Fair Grounds R – “sesamoid fracture”

Social Cat, Dec 11, Delta R – “compound, open fracture”

Eye Am Sizzlin, Dec 14, Evangeline R – “comminuted, displaced fracture”

Gentleman’s Prize, Dec 18, Delta R – “skull/spine”

Ballard High, Dec 21, Fair Grounds R – “humerus fracture”

Cosmic Cat, Dec 27, Fair Grounds R – “fracture, suspensory [rupture]”

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Back in January, X Y Jet, a million-dollar racehorse, was killed training in Florida. His trainer: Jorge Navarro. Yes, the same Jorge Navarro who was indicted by the U.S. Justice Department last week on multiple doping charges. So I thought a tidy juxtaposition was in order. Here is what Navarro said when announcing X Y’s death:

“With deep regret, I am sorry to notify you that X Y Jet died this morning as a result of a heart attack. X Y Jet was more than a horse on my trained list, it [not ‘he’] was the one that took us through a wonderful and exciting roller coaster of emotions. He always fought against adversity and despite the injuries that affected him during his career, he always brought out that kind of champion he was.

“Beyond the racetracks, XY Jet becomes [sic] part of my family, was like the older brother of my children and of course, that affection extended to all those who in one way or another related to this swift, mood [sic], but noble racehorse.

“Since his arrival at my stable, I immediately felt that connection with him, which remained until today and will surely remain with me until the day of my departure. I owe X Y Jet so much, that I’m sure there are no words that can specify my thanks to his nobility and class. I do not say goodbye to a horse, I say goodbye to a friend that I will carry forever in my heart. Keep running fast to your next destination X Y Jet.”

Now, from the indictment:

“[JORGE] NAVARRO and others administered several adulterated and misbranded PEDs to XY Jet prior to both the February 13 race in Florida and the March 30 race in Dubai. On or about February 9, 2019, NAVARRO and MARCOS ZULUETA had a telephone conversation in which they discussed NAVARRO’S need for a particular customized analgesic PED, referred to as a ‘blocker.’ NAVARRO specified that the PED was for administration to XY Jet, and ZULUETA agreed to supply that PED via an overnight shipment.

“NAVARRO further attempted to source additional PEDs for XY Jet…including additional doses of a ‘blocker’ PED. On February 10, NAVARRO wrote to OAKES: ‘Do u have any of that new block that dr makes [?],’ and in subsequent calls between NAVARRO and OAKES, OAKES agreed to procure and deliver the ‘blocker’ PED to NAVARRO in advance of XY Jet’s February 13 race.

“On or about February 11, NAVARRO complained to ZULUETA about XY Jet’s performance in a pre-competition run…. NAVARRO and OAKES discussed a plan to secretly introduce a bottle of the ‘blocker’ into the stable where XY Jet was being held prior to the February 13 race. OAKES confirmed that he would smuggle that PED into the racetrack and meet NAVARRO once inside.

“On or about February 13, the day of the Florida race, NAVARRO instructed OAKES to visit XY Jet to administer the PED, and to lie to racing officials if necessary to access the racehorse: ‘Drive through. If anything, if they stop you. You are an owner and you come to Navarro’s barn.’

“On or about March 22, while in the UAE with XY Jet, NAVARRO personally administered various adulterated and misbranded PEDs to XY Jet, including a substance NAVARRO referred to as ‘monkey.’ During an April 3 call between NAVARRO and MARCOS ZULUETA, the two discussed, among other things, NAVARRO’s administration of PEDs to XY Jet in the weeks leading up to, and on the day of, the race in Dubai, and NAVARRO explained: ‘I gave it to him through 50 injections. I gave it to him through the mouth.’

“Following XY Jet’s victory in Dubai, SETH FISHMAN [a veterinarian who was also indicted] congratulated NAVARRO on the win via text message, and NAVARRO replied, in part and among other things, ‘Thank u boss u are a big part of it.'”

To recap:

Navarro: “He always fought against adversity and despite the injuries that affected him during his career, he always brought out that kind of champion he was.”

FBI: “NAVARRO and OAKES discussed a plan to secretly introduce a bottle of the ‘blocker’ into the stable where XY Jet was being held prior to the February 13 race.”

Navarro: “Beyond the racetracks, XY Jet becomes [sic] part of my family, was like the older brother of my children.”

FBI: “NAVARRO instructed OAKES to visit XY Jet to administer the PED, and to lie to racing officials if necessary to access the racehorse.”

Navarro: “[I] immediately felt that connection with him, which remained until today and will surely remain with me until the day of my departure.”

FBI: “NAVARRO personally administered various adulterated and misbranded PEDs to XY Jet, including a substance NAVARRO referred to as ‘monkey.'”

Navarro: “I do not say goodbye to a horse, I say goodbye to a friend that I will carry forever in my heart. Keep running fast to your next destination X Y Jet.”

FBI: “‘I gave it to him through 50 injections. I gave it to him through the mouth.'”

It runs deeper than just the words he spewed and the acts he committed; Jorge Navarro himself – at his very core – is an obscenity.

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Harness trainer Rene Allard (pictured below), one of the most successful in the land, is the latest to be indicted by the Justice Department. The following transcript, published in the Thoroughbred Daily News (TDN), is from an intercepted call between two other defendants, Ross Cohen, pusher, and Louis Grasso, veterinarian. In it, the pair discuss the deaths of Allard-trained horses:

Cohen: “What’s going on with the Allard death camp?”

Grasso: “(laughter) Well I didn’t get anymore emergency calls yesterday so I am assuming…” [Yes, a veterinarian laughs at the mention of a horse “death camp.”]

Cohen: “Assuming the number stopped at 7?”

Grasso: “Well yeah.”

Cohen: “How many died?”

Grasso: “Three.”

Cohen: “Jeez. What were you thinking?”

Grasso: “Three or two maybe.”

Grasso: “One of them just died on the table they just cut him open and poof it died.” [“It,” not he, died – again, a veterinarian.]

Cohen: “Holy fuck did they do an autopsy?”

Grasso: “Their heart rate was like triple they were breathing real heavy their membranes were going fucking purple.” [Once again, a veterinarian.]

Within racing ranks, there have been three types of reactions to these charges: One, disbelief (“I’m shocked!”). Two, retreat, silence. Three, relief, for according to these folks (including the TDN writer, Bill Finley), this is exactly what Racing needed – a good, swift kick in the butt, a cleansing of the “bad apples.” Liars and cowards, all. But it’s far worse: Anyone in racing who suspected (suspects) that horrible people were (are) doing horrible things to their horses and said (say) or did (do) nothing, is not only craven but every bit as culpable as the monsters themselves.