Through a FOIA request to the Virginia Racing Commission, I have confirmed the following kills at that state’s tracks last year.

Kj Hunting, Apr 27, Shenandoah R
“[Multiple] fractures.” Kj was four years old. The destruction…

Go Poke the Bear, May 4, Great Meadow R
“Complete, severely comminuted ulna fracture; complete luxation.” Also: “degenerative joint disease [both front limbs].” Go Poke the Bear was eight years old.

See You Tuesday, May 4, Shenandoah R
“Fell down on track – open, displaced, severely comminuted fracture of MTIII; complete, comminuted fracture of phalanx.” And, of course, “degenerative joint disease.” See You Tuesday was 11 years old.

Medalla Match, Aug 11, Colonial R
“Left foreleg breakdown: [multiple] fractures; trauma to the digital flexor tendon, tendon sheath, and oblique and straight ligaments – evident by shredding, hemorrhage and significant bruising.” Medalla was six years old.

Exuma, Aug 12, Colonial R
“Fell: trauma to humerus, multiple missing pieces of [bone], shredding of the triceps.” Exuma was six years old.

Line Dance, Aug 17, Colonial T
“Returning from track, became wobbly, collapsed and died – acute cardio-respiratory failure; multiple skull fractures, which could be attributed to acute perimortem trauma.” Also: “There are hundreds of variably-sized pale yellow, flat parasites in the cecum. Large loads of this organism [tapeworm] can lead to impactions and colic, but is considered incidental in this case.” Incidental. And finally: “multiple stomach ulcers.” Line Dance was two years old and being prepped for his first race. That poor baby.

Lea Ro, Sep 4, Colonial S
“Euthanized due to a nonhealing infected right fetlock.” Also: “severe cartilage erosion, fetlock and pastern joints.” Lea was seven years old and had last been raced Jul 27.

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