Facts, as the great John Adams once declared, are stubborn things.
And facts are what we present here. We firmly believe that if those coming to this site do so with an open mind, a fresh lens, they will see horseracing not for how it has been sold – as sport, “The Sport of Kings” – but rather as the cruel and deadly (gambling) industry that it is.
Everyday Obituaries
More Gruesome Details From Kentucky
The details (from the Racing Commission) on three more Kentucky kills: Vezpa was killed at Turfway Mar 25: “This mare pulled up near 1/4 pole with injury to RF fetlock. [She] was sedated and loaded onto the ambulance. She was euthanized on the ambulance.” Couldn’t have her euthanized in full public view, right? The specific…
Details on Pair of Turfway Kills
Details (from the Racing Commission) on a pair of previously-reported Kentucky kills… 3-year-old Joy Enamorada was killed at Turfway Mar 9: “This filly pulled up near the 5/8 pole with an injury to the RF fetlock. The filly was sedated, a Kimzey splint was applied and she was loaded onto the ambulance. She was taken…
Ivory Senator Confirmed Killed at Ruidoso
Ivory Senator has been confirmed (Racing Commission) dead after breaking down in the 7th at Ruidoso Sunday. The 3-year-old was one of six horses reported as “vanned off” the Ruidoso track last week, with another listed as “bled.” So surely he was not alone.
Battle Station Becomes 14th Confirmed Kill at Belmont This Year
Battle Station broke down while training yesterday at Belmont and, says the Gaming Commission, was euthanized. He is the 14th (confirmed) kill at Belmont this year, 23rd for the New York Racing Association. He was eight years old and had been put to the whip 53 times. The complicit: owner Sal-Lou J G Stable, trainer…
Everyday Cruelty
“Postrace Heat Distress” and Other Injured Horses at Churchill
From the stewards at Churchill Downs… May 11:”Callin My Name was scratched when he unseated his rider behind the starting gate and attempted to jump the railing, ultimately running through it. Placed on See Vet List.” May 13:”Bosque Redondo finished 10th and required horse ambulance. It was later reported that the horse was humanely euthanized…
“Collapsed and Deemed Expired” at Tioga
This for Mach West at Tioga yesterday, in the words of the Gaming Commission: “After running in 10th race, horse returned to paddock, collapsed and deemed expired by [vets].” “collapsed and deemed expired” According to the chart, Mach did not finish the race, so clearly something had already started. He was but seven years old….
They’re Just Children
The following are chart notes from Remington, Ruidoso, and Sam Houston yesterday. Bear in mind that all of these horses are children. I don’t believe it to be anthropomorphizing when I say they all felt stress, even fear, before/during their races. Eye Eye Indian “flipped at break”Miss Ellens Angel “unruly in gate”Royal Power Play “reluctant…
Animal Abuser Raul Vega Was Going to Race His Horse Like This…
So I’m wondering, what does it actually take for a trainer to get a figurative death sentence in horseracing? On the surface, it would appear that trainer Raul Vega was hit hard by the New Mexico Racing Commission last week: 5-year suspension, $10,000 fine. But then you learn what he did. Vega’s horse, 3-year-old Cause…
Recommended
Vet: “I feel that Rockinhippiechick suffered tremendously in her final moments.” And The Stronach Group Is to Blame.
As I’ve written regarding California’s missing “vanned off” horses: Much is being made of California’s lower kill numbers. One of the things the industry, led by The Stronach Group (TSG), is supposedly doing is more surgical repairs. But history says that the equine post-surgery survival rate is very low (think Barbaro). Problem is, the injured…
The Disgusting Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance
In a press release earlier this month, the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) gushed over a risible $50,000 donation from The Stronach Group on Pegasus Day at Stronach-owned Gulfstream Park. Risible not only because the day featured two million-dollar-plus races, but, more important, because Stronach is a multi-billion-dollar corporation. $50,000 for aftercare. But back to the…
Testimony on Belmont Park Proposal
Ahead of an Economic Development hearing in the NYS Legislature today, I submitted the following written testimony on the Belmont Park proposal: To call the proposed $455 million loan to the New York Racing Association (NYRA) to rebuild Belmont Park a boondoggle would be understating it. First, this massive loan would be repaid through the…
Hey, NYRA: If You Rebuild It (Belmont), They Still Won’t Come
In an effort to secure a nearly-half-billion-dollar bond package from the state to rebuild Belmont Park – a debt that would be repaid with already-existing subsidies – the New York Racing Association (NYRA) has launched a new PR campaign, complete with a glossy power point. Amid a swarm of impressive numbers – the usual suspects:…
Racing’s Corporate Welfare
NYRA and Taxpayer Money: The Great Con
Another excellent piece on NY Racing finances by Sam Mellins of New York Focus. Please read and then share this quality journalism. “Half a Billion in the Bank — And Next to No One in the Stands” “At Belmont Park’s opening day, local brass celebrated a windfall of state cash. Hardly any fans showed up.”
The Evil of Subsidies: Horse “Limps to Wire,” 72 Lengths Back – Exploiters Still Cash In
On subsidies, besides the obvious – propping this industry up with corporate welfare allows for the continued abuse and killing of beautiful horses – there is this ancillary wrong: The massive infusion of unearned income from casino gaming allows tracks to pay first-last, regularly leading to situations like what happened at Charles Town last night….
Vernon Downs Is Still a Dump Living Off the Public Teat
Vernon Downs, a harness track in western NY, opened its “season” yesterday. In a press release carried in HarnessLink, the track’s assistant GM said: “Vernon Downs is a historic venue, and we are thrilled to have the support of top local horsemen and fans as we kick off our 70th year! We’ve lined up some…
Trainer on One of His Horses: “She’s like a little ATM.”
From the “right from their mouths” department… In a recent Harness Link letter to the editor, a United States Trotting Association (USTA) director, David Siegel, took his industry to task for not signing on to HISA. In it, he writes: “The primary reason I think the USTA continually errs regarding this legislation is that it…
Giving Voice
HW on CNN
As mentioned in this morning’s post, I have been working closely with CNN over the past couple weeks. While a larger piece is still to come, yesterday I was asked for a response to HISA’s statement announcing an “Emergency Veterinary Summit” on the Churchill deaths. My statement was read by CNN’s Nick Watt; the full…
A Disgusting Vet, Lousy Journalism
The media coverage of, and the national conversation on, horseracing is the most intense and sustained that I have seen in my nine years of doing this. And I know with certainty that horse deaths have never received this level of attention. We of course have been a big part of it – The Baltimore…
Protesting Works
Just one of the many media pieces on our Preakness protest Saturday. ABC Baltimore: https://youtu.be/IJKq4JNaKBA Also, one of our tweets Saturday was picked up by the New York Post:
The HW Army Out in Force
Yesterday, Horseracing Wrongs, led by Maryland Coordinator (and board member) Jennifer Sully, was out in full force protesting the Preakness at Pimlico. 50+ smart, passionate activists lent their voices to the abused and suffering. The media coverage was exceptional – with no fewer than eight interviews (CBS here). We also had our usual mobile billboard…