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 ..read more

Below is 3-year-old One in Vermillion prior to the $600K Sunland Derby at Sunland Park yesterday. You’ll note that the “vet check” prompted by Vermillion’s thrashing in the gate lasted all of three seconds. You’ll also note that while normal – read: rational and compassionate – people see a terrified child equine being forced to ..read more

Horses “vanned off” U.S. tracks, Mar 20-Mar 26: Trophy Chaser, ParxEl Rafa Q, SunlandKyle’s Degree, Tampa BayLt. Junior Grade, OaklawnStorm Risk, Turfway (also “bled”)Aruba, GulfstreamWhirlaway Party, LouisianaStellar Point, TurfSyzslak, TurfMia’s Authority, GulfstreamBellamundo, SunlandFun Paddy, TurfOlder Brother, Turf And while not reported as “vanned,” the following… Rig It Right “fell over fallen foe, DNF” at SunlandRominski ..read more

4-year-old Forth has been confirmed dead (DRF) after falling in the 5th at Laurel yesterday. He is the third kill on U.S. tracks Saturday – that’s confirmed, and that’s just racing (not including training/stall). Welcome to HISA “safety,” America ..read more

In the $250,000 Latonia Stakes at Turfway yesterday, Vezpa “went wrong” and was subsequently “vanned off.” That, many of you surely know, is the Kentucky chartwriters’ go-to euphemism for dead. And indeed the six-year-old from Brazil is. Killing its “athletes” every day – this is horseracing ..read more

In the 9th at Oaklawn yesterday, Saltwater Gypsy, said the chartwriter, “fell after the wire and was vanned off.” In fact, I have confirmed, she is dead, and according to my source, she died right there on the track. Saltwater was two years old ..read more

Through a FOIA request to the New Mexico Racing Commission, I have confirmed the following kills at that state’s tracks last year (this is part 2; part 1 here). (There may be more coming, as I’ve questioned the thoroughness of their records.) Starry Midnight, Mar 26, Sunland R – “trauma to head in gate” (first ..read more

Through a FOIA request to the California Horse Racing Board, I have obtained the following details on 2 of that state’s 64 kills last year (previous ones here). Silver Lyric, Jun 7, Golden Gate T“Sudden death on track while galloping, no corneal reflex present when vet [arrived] – cause of death unknown.” Also: “stomach ulceration ..read more

Bank On Shea, the Gaming Commission reports (belatedly again), was euthanized at Belmont March 16 – “illness.” Bank was three days shy of turning six. He was in training at Belmont, but hadn’t been raced since last July at Saratoga. He becomes the 1,760th kill at a NYS racetrack since 2009 ..read more

Through a FOIA request to the California Horse Racing Board, I have obtained the following details on 6 of that state’s 64 kills last year (previous ones here). Kazuhiko, Nov 11, Del Mar R“Ataxia, sudden death on way back to barn after being pulled up during race: severe hemorrhages involving both lungs, abundant bloody froth ..read more