Yesterday, in the 5th race at Finger Lakes, a 2-year-old filly named Judge Maggie was put to the whip for the third time. According to the chart (Equibase), she was “pulled up, vanned off.” In fact, she is dead – broken leg, says the NYS Gaming Commission, “euthanized on the track.” “Vanned off”? More industry sleight of hand.

The Commission has also released the names of two more dead horses from what it terms “non-racing” causes. On September 25 at Belmont, 2-year-old Sherlock’s Hope “developed acute severe laminitis in all four feet” and was presumably euthanized. Acute, severe, all four feet. The second of Sherlock’s two “career” starts came just 16 days before dying – but it’s “non-racing.”

On October 14, again at Belmont, 4-year-old Hold On Momma “suffered a severe case of colic.” Euthanized. She was last raced nine days prior.

This is horseracing.

And the killing at the hallowed Saratoga Race Course continues, six weeks after the summer’s final race was run. The Gaming Commission reports that Roberta Brooks broke down in a training session yesterday and was euthanized. She was two.

To date, 21 horses have lost their lives at Saratoga this year:

Lakalas, May 28, “collapsed and died after breezing”
Queen B, July 6, “fractured leg while breezing…ambulanced to clinic – euthanized”
Wanztbwicked, July 22, “suffered suspensory rupture breezing – euthanized on 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”
Duquesne Whistle, August 7, “was euthanized for abdomen colic”
Sweetneida, August 11, “ambulanced off – euthanized”
Meteoroid, August 16, “injured RF leg prior to 6th fence – euthanized on track”
Sayonara Rose, August 17, “was euthanized on the track for a left front leg fracture”
Travelin Soldier, August 19, “suffered a fracture while breezing – euthanized”
That Mr. P, August 26, “being treated for acute colic…without resolution – euthanized”
Aggie’s Honor, August 31, “suffered a fracture to right front leg breezing – euthanized”
Somekindasexy, September 18, “fractured both RF sesamoids – euthanized”
Roberta Brooks, October 14, “suffered a fracture breezing and was euthanized”

From the Delaware Racing Commission: In the 4th at Delaware Park October 7, “Allie’s Event broke down on the far turn and was humanely euthanized.” Allie’s Event was 11 and had been pounded on U.S. racetracks since 2008 – 67 races (including his death run) in all. Five days earlier, 2-year-old You’re a Survivor was killed at that same track. Moral: Young, old (for racing, that is) – it simply doesn’t matter; this Killing Machine – upward of 2,000 on American tracks every year – doesn’t discriminate.

From the Delaware Racing Commission: In the 7th at Delaware Park October 2, “You’re a Survivor broke down in the stretch and was humanely euthanized.” You’re a Survivor was two years old; this was his third time under the whip.