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
How Does This (or Any) "Track Chaplain" Sleep at Night?
I have confirmed these recent kills at Delta: My Priorities, in the 3rd Oct 24. This poor boy was two, and this was his debut. The man most responsible: breeder/owner/trainer Carrol Castille. Here is how it looked. As an aside, at the conclusion, the announcer noted, “Our track chaplain is now in the Winner’s Circle…
"Despite their prompt response, the horse passed away within moments."
A statement from the National Steeplechase Association (NSA): “The NSA regrets to report the sudden death of Scorpion’s Revenge, a 10-year-old gelding, following the seventh race at the Montpelier Steeplechase on Saturday. Scorpion’s Revenge successfully completed his race and was walking back toward the barn when he unexpectedly collapsed. Attending veterinarians were immediately on the…
Poseidon's Law Killed at Gulfstream Sunday
As reported in our Weekly List, Poseidon’s Law was injured at Gulfstream Sunday. We now know he is dead. The day wasn’t a total loss, however: The 4-year-old Poseidon’s actually “fell after crossing the wire” (albeit 17 lengths back), so he “earned” $400 for his exploiters – Morplay Racing, Jose D’Angelo, Marcos Meneses – on…
Reckless Equicide
Silk Road Smash broke down at Saratoga Harness yesterday and is dead. If a criminal charge were to be filed here (wouldn’t that be nice?), at a minimum we’d be looking at reckless equicide. Why? The conditions for this race (Gaming Commission/USTA) were rain and “sloppy.” Silk was seven; ’twas his 119th time under the…
Everyday Cruelty
A Bunch of Terrified Babies at Churchill
Over the course of just 6 days (Oct 25-Nov 5) at Churchill, 16 horses were scratched by the regulatory vet – i.e., their exploiters had every intention of racing them – for being “injured” or “unsound,” another 10 by private vets for being “injured” or “ill,” and 9 (3 in same race) horses who were…
Animal Abuser (Caught on Video) Brevin Lupton Is Welcomed Back in Ohio
Three years ago today, I posted the following ruling on Brevin Lupton in Oct 2023: “A video was sent to the office of the Ohio Racing Commission which shows Mr. Lupton engaging in an act of cruelty to a horse. After a hearing in the judges office…Mr. Lupton is fined $1,000 and given a 365-day…
Animal Cruelty at Horseshoe, Keeneland
At Horseshoe in October: In addition to the 4 confirmed kills – Favorite Lady 123, Solo Venturi, Dark Rye, Speightsy Rival – and the 7 “vanned off,” 21 horses were scratched by the regulatory vet – i.e., their exploiters had every intention of racing them – for being “injured” or “unsound,” and another 5 by…
What Do You See?
Our own Jennifer Sully took these photos at Parx a week ago Sunday (which was also “Exotic Animal Races Day”). They speak for themselves. And these were taken at Timonium in Sep:
Recommended
The GoFundMe for the Trainers of the 17 Horses Who Were Burned Alive Is Abhorrent
Every time these mass-killing barn fires occur – here, here, here, here – what makes me most sick (besides the obvious, of course) is the rhetoric that immediately flows from industry exploiters and fans alike. Case in point, this from ex-trainer Amy Dowd: “Oh, Robyn’s [one of the two affected trainers] phenomenal, takes great care…
Pro-Racing Journalist: "One fact you can't escape is that horses will die in racing, despite all efforts."
I have always held a special disdain for racing fans who, doubling as journalists, are gifted tremendous forums for spewing their deceptions, and thus are extremely influential in the court of public opinion. Exhibit A has always been Joe Drape of The New York Times. A close second for a long time was the LA…
CHRB Says They've "Done All the Work on the Animal Welfare Piece"; 83 Dead Horses This Year Says Otherwise
A Christmas Eve article by John Cherwa in the LA Times is at its core an exercise in hand-wringing, as made clear by its title, “California horse racing is at a crossroads. Can it survive?” With Golden Gate Fields having begun its final-ever meet, which will leave the whole of Northern California without a single…
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…
Racing’s Corporate Welfare
With Taxpayer Money, Eureka Downs Reopens; Let the Abuse and Killing Begin
Eureka Downs in Kansas was a failed business – twice over. The first time, in 1990, it filed bankruptcy. In 1994, it reopened – but only because of a state subsidy. 16 years later, and even with that subsidy, it failed again and was shuttered. And now, armed with even more taxpayer money, it has…
TDN Article: "Record purses while the handle declines is not a sign of a healthy industry. It is the signature of a subsidized one."
At the risk of stating the obvious, horseracing is at its core a gambling business. For decades, the proverbial $2 bet funded this industry. As competition – lotteries, casinos, sports betting – began to arise at the end of the 20th Century and into the 21st, the wagering on racing was no longer enough to…
Could Maryland Lose the Preakness?
The Yonkers Times recently published an article on how to bet the Belmont Stakes; the article had nary a word on the treatment of the horses. So, I wrote this LTE in response. Also: Friday, Kentucky Sports Radio ran a piece on the mess that is Maryland Racing. From poor decisions, to cost overruns, to…
Prominent Owner: "The industry is thriving in Kentucky and surviving in other places solely because of subsidies."
While New York has the most tracks, I think it fair to call Kentucky the heart and soul of American horseracing. From breeding to tracks like Churchill and Keeneland to the Kentucky Derby itself, KY is ground zero. In fact, the title of a Louisville Public Media piece just ahead of this year’s Derby laid…
Giving Voice
New Poem: "The Betting Station"
In June, I excerpted from a new book of poetry by Kaaviya Elangkumarabahu (who was but 12 years old when she published!). Kaaviya followed that up with two other poems written exclusively for HW. And now, a third. Thank you, Kaaviya. “The Betting Station” by Kaaviya Elangkumarabahu As the cold, biting cold of the car…
"Why Do We Cheer for the Abuse of Horses?"
I was recently a guest on Talk World Radio (couldn’t have titled it better myself)… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1oTToEu3XM
If Recent History Holds, the New Belmont Will Be the Deadliest Racetrack in America
Earlier in the month, the Long Island Herald ran a piece on Belmont’s grand reopening today. In response, I submitted the following LTE. (Note: At the time of writing, 82 horses had perished during the rebuild. With the two reported this week, it is now 84.) Lost in your Sep 4 article on the reopening…
A New Poem: "The Terror. The Horror."
Back in June, I excerpted from a new book of poetry by Kaaviya Elangkumarabahu. Kaaviya followed that up with a poem on Completeness, and today I present yet another on the horrific fire that killed 17 horses at Saratoga Harness. Thank you, Kaaviya. “The Terror. The Horror.” by Kaaviya Elangkumarabahu As I lay, Settle in…