Insights: Accidents Will Happen?

I am saddened if I see one of my digital horses injured in a race here, and you may laugh all you want, but I consider it an effective practice. If I can feel compassion for a cyber athlete, I am building up my compassion for all beings of soul, flesh and bone.

And no, this is not about the Elvis Costello song, or a rant that justifies my position on anything, because quite simply, I’ve not the proper elements to condemn.

Instead, it’s about reflecting on a sport that many of us love and questioning if some of the paradigms about it are wrong.

Yesterday, as I enjoyed Saratoga racing, I had the most unpleasant experience of witnessing, during race #4, the breakdown of my chosen horse, Ludicrous, ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr. He was euthanized on the track, right after he had gallantly battled for the lead, and I can still hear the commentators pained voice.

Considering the extensive list of horse racing tragedies(2014) I’m posting below, I can only wonder if this already tough sport is being made cruel through the invested interests of running these athletes like machines and not animals. Or perhaps I’m just being a sentimentalist wuss? I’d love for you to give me a frank opinion in the comments section below.

I do want to make clear I’m not in any way blaming the sport for anything, but I do want to contribute in my small way to the consciousness of treating all sentient beings with respect and consideration, instead of putting the almighty buck in a pedestal of importance that should be secondary to humane goodwill.

Here is the list:

American racehorses reported as dead or “broke down” in 2014:

3-year-old Aunt Meanie, January 1, Fair Grounds, race 9
5-year-old Uncle Smokey, January 2, Aqueduct, race 7
3-year-old Shand, January 2, Santa Anita, race 8
4-year-old Sassy Cherokee, January 4, Charles Town, race 1
3-year-old Classic Ford, January 4, Fair Grounds, race 10
2-year-old Side Street, January 4, Gulfstream, race 3
8-year-old Caixa Eletronica, January 4, Belmont, training
3-year-old Six Drivers, January 4, Belmont, training
2-year-old Blonde for Ever, January 6, Parx, race 3
4-year-old Clodhopper, January 6, Turf, race 3
8-year-old Devils Afleet, January 8, Turf, race 3
2-year-old Casey Lynn, January 9, Delta, race 1
3-year-old Battle Silk, January 9, Delta, race 9
4-year-old Skip the Limit, January 11, Charles Town, race 6
4-year-old Golden Archway, January 11, Tampa Bay, race 3
10-year-old Stormy Surge, January 12, Golden Gate, training
3-year-old Go Canes Go, January 13, Belmont, training
6-year-old Mystery Taste, January 14, Beulah, race 7
4-year-old Past Glory, January 16, Charles Town, race 8
3-year-old Forgot to Duck, January 16, Golden Gate, training
3-year-old The Mikester, January 16, Penn National, race 1
5-year-old Actin Lucky, January 18, Charles Town, race 7
4-year-old Diplomatic Gal, January 18, Charles Town, race 7
6-year-old More Nuggets, January 18, Hialeah, race 3
4-year-old Trick the Queen, January 18, Laurel, race 5
3-year-old Longevity, January 18, Oaklawn, race 3
2-year-old Top Data, January 20, Fair Grounds, race 9
3-year-old Soul Searcher, January 20, Golden Gate, race 8
4-year-old Vanessa Flag, January 21, Sunland, race
5-year-old Holleran, January 22, Beulah, race 2
3-year-old Miss Go Free, January 24, Golden Gate, training
4-year-old Shesonlyseventeen, January 24, Los Alamitos, race 7
2-year-old Electric Eddie, January 25, Santa Anita, race 10
3-year-old Dixie Sparkle, January 26, Aqueduct, race 7
3-year-old Silent Blessing, January 26, Calder, race 2
4-year-old Gimmenosass, January 26, Turf, race 8
4-year-old Royal Affair, January 29, Beulah, race 1
2-year-old Valar Dohaeris, January 30, Belmont, training
3-year-old Budding Affair, January 31, Golden Gate, training
4-year-old Flashy in Pink, February 1, Belmont, training
4-year-old Charlie Company, February 1, Golden Gate, training
2-year-old Tizardo, February 1, Oaklawn, race 9
4-year-old Minotaur, February 4, Turf, race 1
5-year-old Silver Cloud, February 5, Tampa Bay, race 9
2-year-old Salt Block, February 6, Laurel, race 4
3-year-old Cougarontheprowl, February 6, Santa Anita, race 4
4-year-old Mr Manske, February 7, Charles Town, race 4
4-year-old Malibu Affair, February 8, Sunland, race 9
1-year-old Manchas Mojave, February 13, Golden Gate, training
8-year-old Moscato, February 14, Golden Gate, race 7
5-year-old Code of Conduct, February 14, Santa Anita, race 7
4-year-old LG Jet, February 15, Turf, race 2
4-year-old Vero’s Hero, February 16, Gulfstream, race 1
3-year-old He’s Not Too Shaby, February 17, Santa Anita, race 9
5-year-old Gracias, February 17, Turf, race 2
3-year-old Sum Royal, February 20, Charles Town, race 2
3-year-old Very Elusive, February 21, Golden Gate, training
3-year-old Andromeda’s Coming, February 22, Aqueduct, race 3
9-year-old Miss Palatine, February 22, Hawthorne, race 2
4-year-old Body of Evidence, February 22, Hialeah, race 2
Standardbred Scottie C, February 22, Buffalo, race 3
3-year-old Byerley Barb, February 23, Golden Gate, training
2-year-old Chica de La Noche, February 23, Louisiana, race 7
Standardbred Pay Tribute, February 26, Buffalo, race 7
5-year-old Giant Indian, February 26, Laurel, race 7
4-year-old Sea Rep Run, February 28, Charles Town, race 6
5-year-old Sound of Drums, March 1, Aqueduct, race 7
2-year-old Syeshacat, March 1, Mountaineer, race 4
3-year-old King Moon, March 2, Oaklawn, race 4
3-year-old Aggressive Prize, March 3, Louisiana, race 5
2-year-old Changeinaction, March 5, Belmont, training
6-year-old The Program, March 6, Fair Grounds, race 8
1-year-old Ruby Jo, March 6, Golden Gate, training
2-year-old Miss Da Sunrise, March 7, Fair Grounds, race 4
5-year-old Cellophane, March 7, Golden Gate, race 6
6-year-old Tawdry, March 10, Mountaineer, race 8
Standardbred Hickory Louie, March 12, Monticello, race 8
2-year-old Uncle Betty, March 13, Charles Town, race 5
3-year-old Kenai Warrior, March 14, Gulfstream, race 6
6-year-old Cooper River, March 14, Laurel, race 3
4-year-old Concept, March 15, Aqueduct, training
7-year-old Itsagoodtendollars, March 15, Belmont, training
4-year-old Candy’s Jewel, March 15, Los Alamitos, race 1
3-year-old Fardan, March 15, Santa Anita, race 1
3-year-old Broadway Peyton, March 15, Tampa Bay, race 6
5-year-old El Altanero, March 17, Beulah, race 7
3-year-old Hot Little Thang, March 17, Turf, race 1
4-year-old Colonel By, March 21, Charles Town, race 2
3-year-old Finesse, March 21, Oaklawn, race 7
4-year-old Garden Tavern, March 22, Charles Town, race 2
4-year-old Diva On Demand, March 22, Laurel, race 4
4-year-old Sweetly Put, March 22, Penn, race 9
6-year-old Vagabond Shoes, March 22, Santa Anita, race 4
3-year-old Vengeful, March 23, Gulfstream, race 2
6-year-old With a Miracle, March 23, Sunland, race 7
6-year-old Kern River, March 28, Fonner, race 2
3-year-old Art of the Game, March 28, Gulfstream, race 8
2-year-old Russian Silk, March 29, Santa Anita, race 9
3-year-old Causewere Gamblers, March 30, Santa Anita, race 3
4-year-old Notbyemyrules, March 30, Santa Anita, race 9
2-year-old Jojonotjoelowe, April 3, Aqueduct, training
6-year-old No Shenanigans, April 4, Pimlico, race 5
6-year-old Crystallo, April 6, Mountaineer, race 3
6-year-old Hudson Ridge, April 6, Pimlico, race 9
8-year-old Casey’s On Call, April 9, Hawthorne, race 2
2-year-old Ivebeensaved, April 12, Parx, race 6
4-year-old Alondra Sky, April 13, Gulfstream, race 4
5-year-old Here Comes Drz, April 15, Charles Town, race 6
4-year-old American Iron, April 15, Finger Lakes, training
2-year-old Crimson Flyer, April 16, Golden Gate, training
3-year-old Sicard’s Sensation, April 17, Evangeline, race 10
3-year-old Recovered, April 18, Finger Lakes, race 3
Standardbred Southwind Tabor, April 21, Yonkers, race 12
Standardbred Laredos Goose, April 26, Cal Expo, race 5
4-year-old Marcelino Springs, April 26, Golden Gate, race 8
5-year-old Marine, April 26, Gulfstream, race 9
5-year-old Cuban Devil, April 27, Atlantic City, race 5
8-year-old Golden Mexico, April 27, Golden Gate, race 4
2-year-old La Jolla Cove, April 27, Santa Anita, race 2
6-year-old Caverna, April 28, Beulah, race 2
5-year-old Rock Elle Ten, April 30, Evangeline, race 2
3-year-old Handstand, May 1, Belmont, race 6
6-year-old Hotradamus, May 1, Santa Anita, race 3
3-year-old Polar Pal, May 2, Evangeline, race 7
2-year-old Onebaddancer, May 2, Golden Gate, training
5-year-old Granny Calling, May 2, Santa Anita, race 1
3-year-old Canadian Winner, May 3, Churchill, race 13
9-year-old Boston Chief, May 3, Finger Lakes, training
3-year-old Zion Hill, May 4, Mountaineer, race 6
Standardbred Liberty Cruise, May 5, Yonkers, race 5
2-year-old Nightfall, May 8, Santa Anita, race 5
5-year-old Looks Like a Saint, May 9, Indiana, race 6
6-year-old Mad Magic, May 9, Pimlico, race 1
3-year-old Aztec Secret, May 10, Louisiana, race 3
3-year-old Gameboy Luke, May 10, Santa Anita, race 4
4-year-old Mr Lemon Tree, May 11, Santa Anita, race 9
5-year-old Very Very Grateful, May 13, Finger Lakes
5-year-old Rhythm of the Moon, May 14, Suffolk, race 4
2-year-old Bold Fashion, May 15, Golden Gate, training
3-year-old Oriental Silk, May 18, Louisiana, race 8
5-year-old Blushing Martha, May 18, Mountaineer, race 8
4-year-old Caillech’s Quest, May 18, Parx, race 4
3-year-old Lucky for You, May 18, Saratoga, training
Standardbred KZ Too, May 20, Monticello, race 8
5-year-old Summa Cum Boom, May 20, Parx, race 3
3-year-old See the Music, May 21, Belmont, race 7
5-year-old Never Tell Lynda, May 22, Churchill, prior to race 1
3-year-old Stadtpark, May 22, Santa Anita, race 4
3-year-old Reflective Glory, May 24, Emerald, race 6
5-year-old Big Note, May 24, Santa Anita, race 2
5-year-old Silver Arch, May 27, Parx, race 7
4-year-old Kingston Jamaica, May 29, Belmont, training
3-year-old Jess a Speeder, May 30, Arapahoe, race 7
5-year-old Kissinginthedark, May 30, Finger Lakes, race 1
5-year-old Berrymeaux, May 31, Mountaineer, race 2
3-year-old Archie’s All Heart, June 1, Parx, race 4
4-year-old Der Boss, June 1, Pimlico, race 2
5-year-old Samuels Blond Lady, June 5, Belmont, race 2
4-year-old Sweet Teri K, June 7, Belterra, race 4
5-year-old Lemon Sundae, June 7, Finger Lakes, race 1
4-year-old Tebows Big Play, June 7, Golden Gate, race 9
5-year-old Stormdefrere, June 7, Penn, race 3
Standardbred Faith N Moon, June 8, Buffalo, race 5
8-year-old Lobo Del Norte, June 8, Parx, race 5
5-year-old X Country Girl, June 8, Parx, race 7
3-year-old Nics First Rainbow, June 9, Ruidoso, race 5
5-year-old Gulf of Aden, June 10, Parx, race 1
5-year-old Bear’s Spirit, June 12, Aqueduct, training
6-year-old J.B.’s Marquis, June 14, Louisiana, race 5
5-year-old Hot Necker, June 14, Mountaineer, race 5
4-year-old Socialbug, June 15, Churchill, training
4-year-old My Jordy, June 17, Presque Isle, race 2
2-year-old Fran’s Kid, June 18, Belmont, training
2-year-old Summer Sanctuary, June 19, Delaware, race 4
3-year-old Ol’ Bob, June 19, Louisiana, race 4
4-year-old Chiffy, June 20, Penn, race 2
5-year-old Lake Brilliant, June 20, Prairie, race 2
3-year-old Cole Forty Five, June 20, Santa Anita, race 8
6-year-old Birthday Wish, June 21, Belterra, race 7
3-year-old Shanes Social Cat, June 21, Lone Star, race 2
5-year-old How Far We’ve Come, June 22, Parx, race 8
6-year-old Griffin Rock, June 23, Parx, race 1
4-year-old Roses for Romney, June 25, Belmont, race 8
5-year-old Mel’s Game, June 26, Santa Anita, race 1
7-year-old Elsaroarin, June 27, Finger Lakes, race 9
4-year-old Western Grit, June 28, Finger Lakes, training
6-year-old Commandeer, June 28, Belterra, race 2
4-year-old Papa Doc, June 28, Charles Town, race 4
4-year-old Halos Wild, June 28, Lone Star, race 9
5-year-old My Belle Etoile, July 4, Ellis, race 5
3-year-old Michonne, July 4, Finger Lakes, race 9
2-year-old Finns Huckleberry, July 4, Ruidoso, race 1
5-year-old Guidopanzini, July 5, Oak Tree, race 9
3-year-old This Guy Is Blue, July 6, Belmont, race 9
9-year-old Streaterville, July 6, Mountaineer, race 6
7-year-old Back Talking, July 9, Mountaineer, race 5
5-year-old Our Deputy Express, July 10, Delaware, race 2
5-year-old Lone Star Sizzler, July 12, Evangeline, race 7
4-year-old Music Maid, July 13, Belmont, race 2
4-year-old Corlett Drive, July 13, Del Mar, training
5-year-old Finally Together, July 14, Mountaineer, race 9
4-year-old Kokaltash, July 17, Del Mar, race 5
4-year-old Indomitable Woman, July 17, Finger Lakes, race 5
5-year-old Could Be a Rumor, July 18, Charles Town, race 6
4-year-old Generator, July 18, Evangeline, race 8
5-year-old Piskacha, July 19, Belterra, race 4
3-year-old Missy Zelliott, July 20, Belmont, training
2-year-old Washington Dacat, July 20, Canterbury, race 7
3-year-old Ithink I Can Dance, July 22, Mountaineer, race 6
5-year-old Mr Percussionist, July 22, Parx, race 1
3-year-old Gryphon Gold, July 23, Santa Rosa, from race 7 at Sacramento July 20
Shocker Topper, July 23, Santa Rosa, training
3-year-old Dance With Fate, July 24, Del Mar, training
4-year-old Lifeguard On Duty, July 24, Saratoga, training
3-year-old Rue the Day, July 25, Charles Town, race 6
4-year-old Yes She’s Unusual, July 25, Del Mar, race 6
5-year-old Longview Drive, July 25, Del Mar, race 7
3-year-old Movin’ On Up, July 25, Louisiana, race 8
3-year-old Elusive Cowgirl, July 25, Monmouth, race 6
3-year-old Double Gold, July 25, Saratoga, training
5-year-old Lil Swiss Echo, July 26, Del Mar, race 5
3-year-old J Kat, July 26, Del Mar, race 9
3-year-old Chichita, July 26, Finger Lakes, race 1
5-year-old Rockabar, July 26, Santa Rosa, race 8
2-year-old Chilled Mousse, July 27, Del Mar, training
7-year-old Gimmeanotherwink, July 28, Finger Lakes, race 2
3-year-old Father Johns Pride, July 28, Saratoga, race 7
Standardbred Majic Laughter, July 29, Batavia
5-year-old Quorum, July 29, Finger Lakes, race 6
4-year-old Cool Under Fire, July 29, Parx, race 8
5-year-old Intimate Storm, July 30, Charles Town, race 6
4-year-old Patinka, July 30, Presque Isle, race 3
3-year-old Chattering Gambler, August 2, Del Mar, race 3
5-year-old Markyour Territory, August 2, Fairmount, race 1
2-year-old Sir William Bruce, August 2, Saratoga, race 5
7-year-old Maji Moto, August 4, Mountaineer, race 7
3-year-old Cat O Gold, August 8, Arapahoe, race 7
3-year-old Western Sword, August 8, Penn, race 8
4-year-old De Rage Girl, August 9, Parx, race 6
3-year-old Trail Blaze, August 9, Parx, race 7
4-year-old Who’strickingwho, August 10, Arapahoe, race 1
7-year-old Bonita Muneca, August 10, Belterra, race 2
5-year-old Exultant, August 10, Belterra, race 4
4-year-old Regretless, August 11, Saratoga, race 4
3-year-old Steppingood, August 13, Del Mar, race 8
3-year-old Bullwhip, August 14, Charles Town, race 1
3-year-old Deputy Gulch, August 14, Charles Town, race 2
4-year-old Serious, August 14, from race 7 at Del Mar July 31
3-year-old Bayview Drive, August 16, Del Mar, race 10
6-year-old Winter’s Wildchild, August 17, Columbus, race 7
4-year-old Royal Hard Spun, August 17, Monmouth, race 3
4-year-old Bonnie Lass, August 18, Delaware, race 2
3-year-old M B and Tee, August 21, Saratoga, race 7
2-year-old Little Tower, August 22, Del Mar, race 3
5-year-old Celzo’s Birdie, August 22, Ferndale, race 4
2-year-old Kamarius, August 23, Saratoga, training
2-year-old Ludicrous, August 23, Saratoga, race 4

Note that the key word in the list heading is American…who knows how many more names there are if we include other countries. I’m wondering about the biggest contributing factors…drugging? Overexertion?

Accidents will indeed happen in all walks of life, and sometimes in what we think are the safest activities, but in some cases we might just do well to pause and consider that many of the things we excuse as tragedies may be caused by simple overindulgence.

I don’t really know, I’m just sayin’……………………………………..

photo credit: Paolo Camera via photopin cc