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Through a FOIA request to the Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission, I have confirmed the following kills on that state’s tracks in 2018. Unless otherwise noted, immediate cause of death was a fracture of one kind or another; underlying cause – Racing itself. (Please note: The Commission forwarded but one training death; surely, this is wrong.)

The Hardy Boys, March 8, Remington T

Chicks Fancy Me, March 10, Remington R

Bedlam, March 20, Will Rogers R

Tf Carters Kick, March 24, Remington R

Mister Bree, April 9, Will Rogers R

Katillac Charm, April 14, Will Rogers R

Ride This Train, April 20, Remington R – “pulmonary hemorrhage” (two years old)

Jazz One Lady, May 12, Remington R

Inseperable Ruby, May 20, Remington R

Last Pain Gl, May 27, Remington R

Right On the Nose, May 28, Remington R – “fell, hindquarters wouldn’t move”

Special Candy High, June 2, Remington R

See Omega, June 8, Fair Meadows R

Fddapache, June 23, Fair Meadows R

Kelly Kip, July 5, Fair Meadows R

Kaylees Krazy Fury, July 7, Fair Meadows R

Royal Disturbance, July 19, Fair Meadows R

Alpha Nine, July 21, Fair Meadows R

Euro Green, August 29, Remington R

Df Painted Pilot, September 9, Will Rogers R

Johnny Jean, September 22, Will Rogers R

Ta Ta Nomoro, September 28, Remington R

Claret Jug, October 4, Remington R – “collapsed at the finish line, died two minutes later” (three years old)

Landbank, October 4, Remington R

Distance Deal, October 6, Will Rogers R

Hooligan, October 12, Will Rogers R

Tactical Miss, October 13, Remington R

Jl Separate Treasure, October 21, Will Rogers R

Fistfulloffite, October 25, Remington R (euthanized October 31)

Okie Debutante, October 26, Remington R

Jesfixinto, October 27, Will Rogers R – “lacerated tendon”

Makin the Dough, November 8, Remington R

Outamoway Girls, November 10, Remington R

Oltigbitties, November 10, Will Rogers R

Paramont, November 19, Remington R

Oklahoma Z, November 30, Remington R

Chirpy Bird, December 14, Remington R

In addition, these still-very-much-active racehorses died on track grounds from what the industry craftily calls “non-racing” causes. Technically true, perhaps, but morally they are no less casualties of this vile business than the ones above.

Bs Cartel, April 24, Remington
“found dead in stall – stomach rupture” (two years old)

Js Chickenchit, April 28, Remington
“found dead in shedrow – colitis and infection” (two years old, last raced April 13)

Hashtag Fast, October 28, Will Rogers
“found dead in stall – presumed choke”

Didactic, November 30, Remington
“colitis” (last raced November 19)

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Through a FOIA request to the New Jersey Racing Commission, I have confirmed the following kills on that state’s tracks in 2018.

White Lightning, May 8, Monmouth T
“heart attack or aneurysm” (three years old)

Steve Says No, May 15, Monmouth T
“ligament rupture”

Pray for Bourbon, June 3, Monmouth R
“sesamoid fracture, comminuted pastern fracture, comminuted condylar fracture”

Head Hunter, June 23, Monmouth R
“fractured condyle”

Marathon Boy, July 7, Monmouth R
“sudden death” (four years old)

Passel, July 24, Monmouth T
“severe displaced fracture of the right carpus”

Chicago Sally, July 31, Monmouth T
“bilateral complete sesamoid fractures”

Magic Mangus, August 17, Monmouth R (euthanized August 31)
“right dorsal displacement; also – “laminitis, pneumonia, colic” – imagine this poor animal’s suffering

Gata’s Applause, August 18, Monmouth R
“comminuted slab fracture”

Chocolate Bourbon, August 31, Monmouth R
“fracture of femur”

Vivid Image, September 2, Monmouth R
“fractured medial and lateral sesamoid – suspect also condylar fracture”

Victory’s Idol, September 4, Monmouth T
“fractured pelvis”

Maderno, September 24, Monmouth T
no injury given

Shades of Grey, September 29, Meadowlands R (euthanized October 1)
“suspensory injury”

Sweet Reef, October 15, Monmouth T
“possible heart attack” (five years old)

Impulse Buy, October 30, Monmouth T
“complete, comminuted [fracture]”

In addition, these horses died on track grounds from what the industry craftily calls “non-racing” causes. Technically true, perhaps, but morally they are no less casualties of this vile business than the ones above.

Every Intention, March 10, Meadowlands
“severe injury to ankle, open wound into fetlock joint – euthanized in pit”

Exclusive Package, May 12, Monmouth
“chronic knee, post-surgical arthritis with new chips in upper joint” (four years old)

unnamed filly, May 24, Monmouth
“received lasix at 5:30; at 6:30 she was down in the stall with no pulse”; cause of death: “no idea” (three years old)

Sugar Foot, June 9, Monmouth
“suffering from EPM, doing poorly, owner elected humane destruction”

Divine Order, June 10, Monmouth
“severe colic, toxic, severe pain”

Fortune Hunter, August 17, Monmouth
“botulism”

Casual Honor (probably sic), October 1, Monmouth
“fever, diarrhea, founder” (two years old)

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Last week on U.S. Thoroughbred and QuarterHorse tracks (not including training).

Adelaar “vanned off” at Turf
Admiral Grace “took a bad step, vanned off” at Mahoning
C Me Roar “went wrong, vanned off” at Portland
Dora Joe Dream “vanned off” at Sunland
Hay Little Devil “fell, vanned off” at Sunland
American Proud “bled” at Sunland
Blaze’n Prospector “vanned off” at Turf
Favorite Song “pulled up in distress, vanned off” at Fair Grounds
Classic Act “tumbled head over heels, DNF” at Gulfstream
Yankee Trip “pulled up in apparent distress, vanned off” at Delta
Chasing a Saint “returned bleeding” at Delta
Cape Dynasty “vanned off” at Gulfstream
She’s Stunning “sustained a catastrophic injury…euthanized on the track” at Laurel
Mo Mo “was pulled up in distress, vanned off” at Oaklawn
Send Me a Milagro “bled, vanned off” at Sunland
Conner Clark “pulled up in distress, vanned off” at Delta
Dreaming About You “fell, DNF” at Golden Gate
Sunshine’s Son Bob “pulled up bleeding from the nostrils, vanned off” at Mahoning
Kid Cantina “pulled up in distress” at Santa Anita – subsequently confirmed dead
No More Cache “took a bad step…vanned off” at Tampa Bay
Go Chiva Go “returned bleeding from the nostrils” at Turfway
Colectora “vanned off” at Gulfstream
Comegowithme “vanned off” at Santa Anita
Lodestar “was severely injured” at Tampa Bay – subsequently confirmed dead


(source: Equibase)

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Through a FOIA request to the Arizona Department of Gaming, I have confirmed the following kills on that state’s tracks in 2018. Unless otherwise noted, immediate cause of death was a break of one kind or another; underlying cause – Racing itself.

Tenacions Tally, January 10, Turf R

Another Forever, January 14, Turf R

Betrbegone, January 14, Turf R

Upsidedwnpineapple, January 21, Turf R

Takeit Tothe Limit, January 25, Turf T

Sheri Sugar Rush, February 3, Turf R

Rocky Litigation, February 5, Turf T

Pay Or Play, February 6, Turf T

unnamed, February 10, Turf T – broke both front legs and neck

Black Tornado, February 10, Turf R

Teresita Gb, February 11, Turf T

The Spinmeister, February 18, Turf T

Boom Boys, February 24, Rillito T

Great Selection, February 24, Turf R

Realwin, February 25, Rillito R

Mr. Padre, February 28, Turf R – “ruptured tendon”

Melvinized, March 3, Rillito R – “torn ligaments/tendons”

Boo Boo Bear, March 3, Turf R

You Decide, March 3, Turf R

Coolidge, March 4, Turf R – cannon and “exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage”

Evening Up, March 6, Turf R – two broken ankles

Kafister, March 7, Turf T

Wheres Hollywood, March 10, Rillito R (euthanized after surgery “failed”)

Lassie’s Reward, March 11, Turf R

Triple Vodka Memorys, March 13, Turf T – “seizure”

Tribal Table, March 20, Turf R

Joshuasistheway, April 9, Turf T

Sicilian Star, April 14, Turf T

Tiz Rolly, April 28, Turf R

Mr Dynasty, April 29, Turf T – “head trauma – fractured skull, brain bleed”

Fighter Gone Wild, April 29, Turf R

Tap On a Star, April 30, Turf R

Doeseedoe, May 6, Santa Cruz R

Jess Pure Class, October 14, Turf R – broke both front legs

Bitz and a Chair, October 20, Turf R

Racin Blue Jean, October 28, Turf R

Jury, November 2, Turf R

Alpha Pegasus, November 5, Turf T – fractures and “torn tendons”

Metric System, November 17, Turf T

Prados Way, November 17, Turf T

Finale’s Dolly, November 18, Turf T

Werewarningyou, November 19, Turf R – fractures and “torn tendons”

Toy’s Party, November 23, Turf R

Oh Yes I Did, November 24, Turf R

Angel Tears, December 4, Turf R

Unusual Champ, December 12, Turf R – “collapse – pulmonary hemorrhage”

Cali Encounter, December 29, Turf R

In addition, these still-very-much-active racehorses died on track grounds from what the industry craftily calls “non-racing” causes. Technically true, perhaps, but morally they are no less casualties of this vile business than the ones above.

Circle Once, April 5, Turf
“pneumonia”

Solomon, April 6, Turf
“cecum colon displacement”

Lidy Peak, May 5, Turf
“pneumonia”

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Kid Cantina’s run in the 6th at Santa Anita yesterday (Equibase): “KID CANTINA…dueled along the rail, stalked into the backstretch, took a bad step early on the backstretch and was pulled up in distress and vanned off.” The “bad step,” the “distress,” we now know, ended in death. Kid Cantina (below) turned three yesterday.