Saratoga Race Course proudly bills itself “the oldest sporting venue in the nation” – one of the more blatant manifestations of The Big Lie. What you won’t see in all their slick marketing, however, is the cost – a cost, that is, measured in lives. Since 2009 (the first year of state disclosure), 207 horses have been killed at Saratoga – that’s an average of 15 per summer. But remember, these are just the ones reported. Not reflected below are those euthanized off-site, nor the hundreds (perhaps thousands) more who raced at this hallowed track and were eventually bled-out and butchered at “career’s” end. In short, this is far from a complete reckoning of Saratoga’s carnage.
Saratoga’s 207 Dead Horses (2009-2022)
yet-to-be-named 2-year-old, stall – “found with fractured femur”
Aqueous, training – “fractured sesamoid”
Alexandros, racing – “fractured both RF sesamoids”
It’s My Day, racing – “flipped, fractured skull, died”
Wishful Star, stall – “inoperable colic”
Finallymadeit, training – “fractured cannon”
Executive Fleet, stall – “severe laminitis”
Possessive, racing – “fractured [both] RF sesamoids”
Todo K, racing – “[fractured] pastern”
Von Steuben, stall – “severe laminitis”
Swift Water, stall – “severe colic”
Boyhood Dream, racing – “fractured humerus”
Giant Legacy, training – “fractured tibia”
Gold Vendetta, racing – “fractured knee”
Thatcatismine, training – “cardiovascular collapse, died”
Fire the Bullet, stall – “colic”
Austintatious, training – “fractured [both] LF sesamoids”
Rani Baba, racing – “comminuted slab fracture”
Kastraki, training – “fractured cannon”
Hathors Legacy, stall – “laminitis [both] front feet”
No Ones Shadow, stall – “fractured pelvis, died from internal hemorrhage”
Bold Victory, training – “fractured [both] RF sesamoids”
Timber Reserve, racing – “fractured [both] RF sesamoids”
Jazzy Johann, training – “pulled up lame, fractured sesamoid”
Seis de Mayo, racing – “fractured [both] RF sesamoids”
Forest Whip, racing – “fell, fractured neck, died”
Daylasoul, stall – “got loose, struck by tractor trailer”
Red Rhythm, racing – “fractured cannon”
Rockettes Escapade, racing – “fractured cannon”
Shopportunity, training – “fractured cannon”
Jackson N Humboldt, racing – “fractured knee”
Doing Great, racing – “collapsed and died”
Not Now Ashley, training – “fractured both LF sesamoids”
Eric’sformalreturn, training – “fractured knee”
Boston and Maine, training – “fractured leg”
Burnin’ Ash, training – “ruptured sesamoid”
Bogal, training – “fell, fractured skull”
Shanbongus, training – “collapsed and died”
Autumn Riches, racing – “fractured knee”
Plattsburgh, racing – “fractured shoulder”
Twice the Price, racing – “fractured cannon”
Julia’s Hero, training – “fractured [both] LF sesamoids”
Regal Citizen, racing – “[multiple fractures], euthanized on track”
Sugar and Smoke, training – “fractured leg, euthanized on track”
One Note Samba, racing – “fractured leg, euthanized on track”
Pete’s Parley, racing – “fell, fractured [both] LF sesamoids”
Molly Mingun, training – “fractured humerus, euthanized on track”
Bluember, racing – “fell, fractured [both] RF sesamoids”
Live for Today, racing – “fractured [both] LF sesamoids”
The Shade, training – “fractured leg, euthanized on track”
Lovely Saratoga, training – “[multiple fractures]”
Black Rhino, training – “fractured knee”
Charmed Hour, racing – “fractured leg, euthanized on track”
Heading to Toga, racing – “fractured leg, euthanized on track”
Sarava’s Dancer, racing – “fractured leg, euthanized on track”
Kris Royal, racing – “fractured leg, euthanized on track”
Ricochet Court, training – “fell, [broke] both front legs”
Ocean Breeze, training – “fractured leg, euthanized on track”
Saginaw, racing – “fractured leg”
For Riches, training – “fractured shoulder, euthanized on track”
Lucky for You, training – “fractured leg”
Lifeguard On Duty, training – “fractured [both] RF sesamoids”
Double Gold, training – “fell over rail, trauma to spine”
Father Johns Pride, racing – “ambulanced off, euthanized in necropsy area”
Lavender Road, racing – “collapsed, fractured vertebrae”
Sir William Bruce, racing – “collapsed after unsaddling and died”
Regretless, racing – “collapsed and died on track”
M B and Tee, racing – “collapsed after finish, died on track”
Kamarius, training – “fractured leg”
Ludicrous, racing – “fractured leg, euthanized on track”
Elena Strikes, training – “fractured leg, euthanized on track”
Makari, racing – “fell, died on track”
Divine Guidance, racing – “fractured leg”
Tale of the Spa, training – “fractured leg”
You Gotta Believe, training – “impaled stifle on rail”
Jay Bird, training – “sudden death – pulmonary hemorrhage”
Zzaj, training – “fractured tibia, euthanized on track”
Defined, training – “fractured [both] RF sesamoids”
Jackson N Leonard, training – “fractured [both] LF sesamoids”
Kathy’s Reward, training – “fractured cannon, euthanized on track”
Innovation Economy, racing – “fractured leg”
On a Snowy Evening, racing – “fractured sesamoid”
Big Looie, training – “fractured both LF sesamoids”
Darling Bridezilla, stall – “sudden death due to cardiac incident”
Divine Fortune, racing – “fell over last jump – fractured humerus”
Country Muse, training – “fractured both RF sesamoids”
Totally Discreet, stall – “laminitis both front feet”
Hadeed Fi Hadeed, training – “fractured leg”
Squire Creek, training – “fell, fractured ulna, euthanized on track”
Stradivari, training – “fractured leg”
Zamjara, racing – “fractured leg”
Rootformejustin, racing – “pulled up, ambulanced off, euthanized”
Indian Nobility, racing – “ruptured ligaments”
Domestic Warrior, racing – “fractured sesamoids, euthanized on track”
Lebowski, stall – “found dead”
Jonrah, training – “fractured cannon, euthanized on track”
Midnight Visitor, racing – “fell suffering head trauma”
Wheels Up Now, training – “fractured sesamoids”
Recepta, training – “fractured pelvis”
Prince Corredor, training – “collapsed and died after breezing”
Elusive Neko, training – “fractured cannon”
Bob Le Beau, racing – “fractured cannon”
Ring of Truth, racing – “humeral fracture, euthanized on track”
Desert Trial, training – “collapsed and died”
Its Only Fair, training – “collapsed and died after breezing”
Core Competency, training – “fractured leg”
Lakalas, training – “collapsed and died”
Queen B, training – “fractured leg”
Wanztbwicked, training – “suspensory rupture”
Angels Seven, racing – “fractured leg, euthanized on track”
Howard Beach, training – “fractured leg”
Positive Waves, training – “[multiple fractures]”
Brooklyn Major, racing – “collapsed after wire and died”
Marshall Plan, training – “fractured condylar”
Fall Colors, racing – “died on track from trauma sustained in fall”
Munjaz, racing – “fractured leg”
Lakeside Sunset, training – “fractured leg”
Unbroken Chain, racing – “fractured leg, euthanized on track”
Duquesne Whistle, stall – “colic”
Sweetneida, racing – “fractured [both] LF sesamoids”
Meteoroid, racing – “[multiple fractures], euthanized on track”
Sayonara Rose, racing – “fractured sesamoids, euthanized on track”
Travelin Soldier, training – “fractured leg”
That Mr. P, stall – “acute colic”
Aggie’s Honor, training – “fractured cannon”
Somekindasexy, training – “fractured both RF sesamoids”
Roberta Brooks, training – “fractured cannon”
Run Rate, training – “injury to knee”
Presumptuous, training – “sustained [multiple] fractures”
Heartspoke, racing – “horse collapsed on track”
Macho Citizen, racing – “fractured [both] RF sesamoids”
Frosty Gal, stall – “sustained [multiple] injuries”
Master Manipulator, stall – “collapsed and died”
Biz Boss, training – “fractured [both] LF sesamoids”
Indifference, training – “injured, vanned off, euthanized”
Bowie, racing – “horse injured, euthanized on track”
Ready for Rye, stall – “colic”
Royal Blessing, stall – “found dead – ileal rupture”
Business Expense, training – “[multiple] fractures”
Hard Study, training – “fractured [both] RF sesamoids”
Forbade, training – “condylar fracture”
St. Barts, training – “collapsed – pulmonary hemorrhage”
Golden Julia, training – “pelvic injury, acute blood loss”
Investment Analyst, training – “sustained leg injury necessitating euthanasia”
Gattino Marrone, training – “fractured [both] LF sesamoids”
Fight Night, racing – “fell heavily after the wire, euthanized on track”
Total Fidelity, training – “fractured [both] LF sesamoids”
Overlord, stall – “colonic rupture”
Verravanni, stall – “pleuropneumonia”
Misspent Youth, training – “cardiovascular collapse”
Umetuka, training – “injured, vanned off, euthanized”
Divine Miss Grey, racing – “complications [after] surgery”
Sundae On Sunday, racing – “collapsed, euthanized on track”
Go Big Or Go Home, racing – “fractured [both] LF sesamoids”
Sister Beauty, training – “inoperable fracture”
Borough Boy, racing – “fell heavily, euthanized on track”
So Surprising, training – “fractured [both] LF sesamoids”
Noble Spirit, training – “sustained injury, subsequently euthanized”
Cloud, training – “sustained leg injury breezing”
Apollon, training – “cardiovascular collapse”
Shiny Copper Penny, stall – “experienced sudden death”
Brag On Me, training – “tibia fracture”
Lady C, racing – “vanned off with left hind injury, euthanized”
First Appeal, racing – “euthanized [for] severe injuries”
Own the Outcome, training – “condylar fracture”
Pot of Hunny, racing – “fell heavily, euthanized on track”
Perfection, racing – “suffered a catastrophic injury”
Highly Uncertain, stall – “colic”
Obsidian Flow, training – “[multiple] fractures”
Zunith Moon, training – “fractured leg”
Siena’s Ticket, stall – “severe laminitis”
Samborella, racing – “took bad steps”
Giuseppe the Great, stall – “severe laminitis”
Chief Commander, training – “lame after breeze – pelvis”
Mr Jaggers, training – “injury to RF leg”
Shirelle, training – “collapsed and died after breezing”
Unrighteous, training – “collapsed and died”
Fancy Twirl, stall – “laminitis in all four feet”
Hedda, training – “euthanized on the track”
Mister Bobby, training – “collapsed and died”
Trucking Baron, stall – “chronic laminitis”
Strong Moment, racing – “catastrophic injury, euthanized on course”
Pleasure Luck, racing – “took a bad step”
Fattoria, training – “pelvic injury necessitating euthanasia”
Fiya, training – “injury to RH leg”
Butter Lou, racing – “injured after wire, vanned to barn, euthanized”
Fifth Avenue Red, training – “pulled up, vanned off, euthanized”
Volpaia, training – “fell over rail, multiple injuries”
Olympico, training – “RH condylar injury”
Wasn’t Me, training – “possible heart attack”
America’s Joy, training – “broke neck in fall”
Tivoli Twirl, stall – “euthanized due to severe health complications”
Cirona, training – “pulled up lame, suspected pelvic”
Madrone, stall – “neurologic disorder, euthanized due to poor prognosis”
On the Dean’s List, stall – “anaphylactic reaction”
Range War, training – “injured while breezing”
Supernova, stall – “apparent peritonitis”
Vindatude, training – “collapsed and expired”
Credit Event, training – “fractured leg, euthanized”
Plurality, training – “collided with another horse”
Practice Squad, training – “sustained leg injury, euthanized on track”
Awesome Gerry, racing – “suffered an injury, euthanized on track”
Salt Cay, racing – “injured, vanned off, euthanized”
Answer In, stall – “laminitis”
Rush to Honor, racing – “injured after wire, vanned off, euthanized”
yet-to-be-named 2-year-old, training – “injured, pulled up, euthanized”
Union of Thoughts, training – “sustained leg injuries, euthanized on track”
