Yesterday…

At Parx, North Ocean, nine years old and under the whip for the 55th time, “went wrong leaving the backstretch [of the 2nd] and was euthanized” (Equibase).

At Laurel, 5-year-old Tango Delta “took a bad step” in the 6th and, according to a reliable source, was euthanized.

At Keeneland, Hazel Ann I Am, a 2-year-old being raced for the first time, “broke down” – an industry euphemism for dead – in the 11th. The Daily Racing Form’s Byron King said the fall “marred the nightcap.”

In the 5th at Penn last night, Valerie Victoria “pulled up lame in the stretch and was humanely euthanized” (Equibase). She was seven years old; this was her 54th race.

According to the Equibase chart, Milo Milo’s run in the 4th at Aqueduct Saturday was “choppy” and he “displayed poor action.” Ultimately, he was “vanned off” the track. Two days later, says the NYS Gaming Commission, he was euthanized for a broken leg. Beyond the kill, a question – to which I’m quite sure no answer is forthcoming – remains: Why was this poor animal made to suffer for two days with a broken leg? Milo Milo was an import from Argentina. He was six years old. Trainer, Naipaul Chatterpaul; owner, EV Racing Stable.

In the 8th at Buffalo Raceway last night, Clooney Drummond “took a bad step,” says the Commission, suffering a comminuted (multiple pieces) fracture. He was euthanized back in the barn. Clooney Drummond was 14 – yes, 14 – years old. Beaten, pounded into the ground (in fact, he had just been raced a week prior) – and, at last, killed. For $2 bets. Driver, Billy Davis Jr; trainer, Steve Andzel.

According to a source at the track, Celestial Image collapsed and died immediately following the running of the 2nd race at Mahoning yesterday. Celestial was almost seven, and this was his 42nd time under the whip.

In NY, the 2-year-old colt You’llrememberwhen is reported (Gaming Commission) to have “died in [his] stall” at Finger Lakes April 3. “Possible colic,” they say. Before inconveniently dying, You’llrememberwhen was being readied for his debut.

This is horseracing.