In the 8th at Charles Town last night, this for Mailman’s a Flyer, in the cold, terse words of the chartwriter: “Mailman’s a Flyer was pulled up with a fatal injury near the quarter pole and had to be euthanized on the track.” He had just turned six. He was also up “For Sale” (cheap ..read more

Through a FOIA request to the California Horse Racing Board, I have obtained the following details on some of that state’s kills last year (more can be found here). Classic Coyne, Jul 2, Santa Anita T“Horse had timed 5-furlong workout and collapsed past finish line – died spontaneously.” Official cause: “cardiopulmonary failure due to exercise-associated fatal ..read more

Seven Nation Army, says the NYS Gaming Commission, “sustained a catastrophic injury and fell” while training at Belmont Monday, and is dead. This poor boy was nine years old and had been under the whip 49 times. But his morally-challenged exploiters – Charlton Baker, et al. – wanted more. Horseracing is evil. Horseracing must end ..read more

I received the following email Sunday. (I believe the horse in question was Texas Star.) “Unfortunately, I was present at Lone Star Park on the night of April 19th. It was the second time I had ever attended the horse races. I observed a horse lying down lifeless on the track after it ran in ..read more

This from the Stewards’ Report for the Tryon Steeplechase in North Carolina Apr 13: “Larger Than Life fell at the 8th fence and was euthanized off course.” The stewards closed their report thus: “The course was in excellent condition and the event ran smoothly. Credit to [the] staff for a well-run event. Special recognition should ..read more

From the stewards at Keeneland… Apr 5:“Spinning Class was injured in the paddock, scratched.” “Choate was injured in the post parade, scratched.” Apr 6:“Here Mi Song was injured in the starting gate, scratched.” Apr 11:“The claim [sale] of Luke was voided when horse was placed on Vet’s List.” Apr 12:“The claim of Aged Truth was ..read more

Last week at the CHRB’s monthly meeting, after Equine Medical Director Jeff Blea gave his death report, this exchange between Blea and Chairman Greg Ferraro took place: Ferraro: “Our injury rate, death rate, is creeping up. Do you have any solutions, reasons, comments about that?” Blea: “Solutions, no. Reasons, each one is unique.” First, on ..read more

For the second straight day, a track opened its “season” with a kill. One day after Aw Ite perished at Mountaineer, this befell Askin for a Baskin in the 7th at Thistledown: “chased the early pace, suffered a catastrophic injury past the half mile pole…and was euthanized.” He was six years old; ’twas his 43rd ..read more

The CHRB reports that One Two Tres Aces died at Los Alamitos Friday, no other details as yet. He was (barely) two years old and being prepped for his debut ..read more

Chart notes from U.S. Thoroughbred and Quarterhorse races last week. Memories in Gold “vanned off” at TurfSpirit of Dreams “vanned off” at EvangelineHonors Legacy “bled” at KeenelandCowboy Bar Cartel “vanned off” at TurfBeautiful Ending “vanned off” at EvangelineNo Wasabi for Me “vanned off” at GulfstreamFebruary Son “fell, taken off track via ambulance, euthanized” at KeenelandMalinois ..read more