Patrick Battuello,
Horseracing Wrongs
October 2018
There were at least five kills on U.S. tracks on October 5. (I say at
least because multiple others were “vanned off” and many if not most of them
will surface as dead when I begin filing my FOIA reports in January. In
addition, there were surely some training deaths that would not be reflected
here.)
First, at Laurel, two – In the 3rd, says Equibase, “STRAIGHT
TEQUILA…sustained an injury and fell galloping out then was euthanized.” She
was three.
Three races later, “RUBYS FIRE…collapsed about a sixteenth of a mile out and
was euthanized on the track.” She, too, was three.
In the 5th at Penn, “PUT IT FORWARD…suffered an injury at the seven
sixteenths pole and was quickly pulled up, was vanned off and euthanized.”
Put It Forward was eight and this was his 56th time under the whip – just
another beaten-into-the-ground claimer (worth a mere $4,000 the day he
died).
In the 6th at Charles Town, “PENNSYLTUCKY LILLY broke down shortly after the
start and was euthanized.” ‘Twas the filly’s first race.
In the 2nd at Saratoga Harness, according to the Gaming Commission,
Panchester United “fractured [his] pastern” – euthanized. He was eight.
Defend that, racing fans.