Horse Kills Himself at Santa Anita
An Animal Rights Article from All-Creatures.org

FROM

Horseracing Wrongs
January 2018

“The stewards conducted an inquiry into the incident in upper stretch before ruling VERRACO was the cause of his own trouble.” Yes, of course, he killed himself.

From the most recent minutes at Santa Anita:

A yet-to-be-named Thoroughbred trained by Lance Hellum and owned by Sergio Mercado was killed in practice January 16. With no name at the time of his/her death, we can presume he/she was two (or younger).

5-year-old Verraco, after falling from what the Daily Racing Form described as a “severe leg injury” in the 8th January 19, was euthanized. The vileness, though, is compounded by this postscript on the Equibase chart: “The stewards conducted an inquiry into the incident in upper stretch before ruling VERRACO was the cause of his own trouble.” Yes, of course, he killed himself. Verraco was coming off a “pulled up, vanned off” in his penultimate race on October 21. Furthermore, that October race came after a 19-month layoff. Perhaps trainer James Cassidy could shed some light?

Finally, Spiritual Warrior, three, was a scratch prior to the 2nd January 19. The reason? “Deceased.” No further information was disclosed.

This is horseracing.


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