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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