Preakness 2016: Two horses die in early races at Pimlico
Source: Associated Press, via Syracuse.com
By Associated Press
on May 21, 2016 at 1:11 PM, updated May 21, 2016 at 2:17 PM
BALTIMORE (AP) — In a tragic start to Preakness day, two horses have died at Pimlico Race Course and a jockey broke a collarbone after a spill on a damp, rainy day.
Pramedya broke down around the turn in the fourth race Saturday, tumbled to the ground as jockey Daniel Centeno was thrown to the turf. Pimlico racing officials said the 4-year-old filly was euthanized on the track after breaking her left front cannon bone.
Centeno was driven off in ambulance. Officials said he broke his right collarbone.
In the opening race of the day, Homeboykris collapsed and died after winning and having his picture taken in the winner's circle. Track officials believe the 9-year-old gelding suffered cardiovascular collapse. ... The horse will be taken to New Bolton Center in Pennsylvania for an autopsy.
Read more: http://www.syracuse.com/sports/index.ssf/2016/05/preakness_horse_deaths.html
I'm no expert, but I'm surmising this is out of the ordinary.
I live just south of Washington, DC. We had pretty heavy rain here this morning. It let up about noon. I'm guessing the track will be muddy.
And though it won't forestall the angry posts from vegans, I had a hamburger for lunch. It was delicious.
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That's why I never watch the races. Oh hell. This breaks my heart.
I got more into dressage after breaking too many of my bones trying to do eventing.
The main problem with horses breaking down on the track is that they are 2-year olds---babies. Typically, horses don't start training for anything until they are 3, run and play for a year, then start more serious training at 5. A two year old has not even finished growing, their bones have not finished "fusing".
I've always had mixed feelings, being a Kentucky kid. Racing is a time honored, centuries old tradition. If you live close to a track, there are cheap, "too slow" horses to be had to go on to careers in jumping, eventing, and dressage. Yes, there are trainers doping horses, but its always a gamble as to who is going to be drug tested that day. At least they don't sell horses for dog food anymore in this country. The remaining slaughter houses were closed several years ago. Many do go to Canada or Mexico to be processed, then shipped to Europe.
I am curious about a 9 year old racing on the track. My two dressage horses were retired in their 20's, one for arthritis, the other because he broke an ankle warping around the pasture. They were happy and healthy, and loved their work. I don't think they're nearly as happy being pasture ornaments. Dressage (google is our friend), is very special communication between horse and rider. Almost reading each other's minds.
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My mare then.
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My mare now at 30 years old.
...are often drugged and then pushed to the limit for what? Personal greed. At what expense? The animals. 
I love horses and have always enjoyed watching them run . . . that ended a number of years ago with Ruffian's injury and subsequent euthanizing. I cannot justify the "sport" anymore for so many reasons, of which these incidents is a very big part! 
24 horses every 7 days !!!!!!
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/25/us/death-and-disarray-at-americas-racetracks.html
A 2-year-old quarter horse named Teller All Gone broke a front leg in a race on Sept. 3 at Ruidoso Downs Race Track in New Mexico and was euthanized. His body was then dumped in a junkyard next to an old toilet at Ruidoso, a short walk from where he had been sold at auction the previous year.
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just terrible abuse for obscene profits, no other way to see it
For all the horses who have needlessly died for human entertainment.....
