Today at Saratoga (1st race), per Equibase: “METEOROID…took a bad step strides before flight six and had no other option but to remain on course, cleared that jump and was quickly pulled up but unfortunately had to be euthanized on track.” “Unfortunately.” Just to be clear, Meteoroid suffered his “catastrophic injury” (a break of some sort) before the sixth hurdle, but still had to make that jump before being pulled up and, eventually, put out of his misery. Imagine that.

replay here – “bad steps” around 2:53; Meteoroid flailing about, a few seconds later

That’s 14 dead racehorses on the Saratoga summer. 14 dead animals for $2 bets and frivolous entertainment. Does that not define morally indefensible?

Lakalas, May 28, “collapsed and died after breezing”
Queen B, July 6, “fractured leg while breezing…ambulanced to clinic – euthanized”
Wanztbwicked, July 22, “suffered an injury while breezing – euthanized on the track”
Angels Seven, July 28, “pulled up, injury to LF leg – euthanized on the track”
Howard Beach, July 29, “suffered a fracture to RF leg breezing and was euthanized”
Positive Waves, July 29, “suffered a fracture to his RF leg breezing – euthanized”
Brooklyn Major, July 31, “collapsed and died after the finish of the race”
Marshall Plan, August 2, “fractured condylar bone while training – euthanized”
Fall Colors, August 3, “horse fell at second fence, died on track”
Munjaz, August 3, “was pulled up…vanned off – euthanized”
Lakeside Sunset, August 5, “ambulanced off; fracture right hind leg – euthanized”
Unbroken Chain, August 6, “suffered a fatal musculoskeletal injury – euthanized”
Sweetneida, August 11, “ambulanced off – euthanized”
Meteoroid, August 16, “injured RF leg prior to 6th fence – euthanized on track”

I have confirmed (Stewards Report) that last Wednesday there were two – yes, two – kills at Delaware Park. In the 3rd, Glitzy “pulled up lame around the first turn, was vanned off, and afterward humanely euthanized.” Glitzy was a 5-year-old mare being raced for the 8th time. Two races later, Pandamonia, too, “pulled up lame…humanely euthanized.” Pandamonia was a 2-year-old colt under the whip for the very first time.

Last week, I reported kills on back-to-back days at Delaware; today, two in three races. Or, four dead racehorses in six days of racing. How can the good people of The First State countenance this? Please help end it – no more bets, no more attendance, no more going to the racino (which directly subsidizes racing). Please, for the horses.

Charm the Lute, a 4-year-old filly under the whip for the 7th time, had this outcome in the 3rd yesterday at Louisiana Downs: “CHARM THE LUTE up close early from between foes, was pulled up entering the turn in distress and was euthanized” (Equibase). Short, miserable life; short, miserable obituary.

This is horseracing.