Racetrack Corruption/Horse Drugging (CASE STUDY-20-International/Cultural)
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ARTICLES
Includes organization horse welfare or private grassroots websites
The Atlantic
2014/03/24 by Mark Cohen The Ugly Truth about Horse Racing
https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2014/03/the-ugly-truth-about-horse-racing/284594/
Excerpt: There are essentially three types of people in horse racing. There are the crooks who dangerously drug or
otherwise abuse their horses, or who countenance such conduct from their agents, and who then dare the industry
to come catch them. Then there are the dupes who labor under the fantasy that the sport is broadly fair and honest.
And there are those masses in the middle—neither naive nor cheaters but rather honorable souls—who know the
industry is more crooked than it ought to be but who still don't do all they can to fix the problem.
https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2014/03/the-ugly-truth-about-horse-racing/284594/
Bloodhorse dot com (see new Mexico below)
Courier Journal
2020/03/11 An inside job helped lead the FBI to indictments in the horse racing drug scandal. Tim Sullivan
https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/horses/horse-racing/2020/03/11/horse-racing-scandal-jockey-club-
helped
-investigators-scandal/5016435002/
Horse Fund dot org
The Chemical Horse Part 7
https://horsefund.org/the-chemical-horse-part-7.php
Excerpt: AS MUCH as many drugs can and are used to heighten performance, by far the most controversial in the
horse racing industry today are the Class 4 NSAID's (Non-Steroidal Anti- Inflammatory Drugs) corticosteroids and the
much criticized "Lasix" (also known as Salix) — an unclassified permitted race day medication in North America.
It was in the 1970’s when North America adopted the policy of "permissive medications" that the administration of
Lasix and painkiller Butazolidine — the brand name of Phenylbutazone (commonly referred to as "Bute") — became
standard at the track. Hence there is a long history of drug abuse when it comes to these types of medications.
Many in the industry believe that Salix is beneficial to the horse because it prevents the common problem of bleeding
in the lungs or EIPH (exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage).
The majority of the racing jurisdictions in North America also permit the administration of one of the NSAID's over a
prescribed period of time (no earlier than 24 hours before race time).
These are typically either phenylbutazone ("bute"), flunixin or ketoprofen. Others include steroidal (catabolic) anti-
inflammatory drugs or corticosteroids used to decrease inflammation in joints.
There is much concern that the presence of these drugs interfere with the ability of the tending veterinarian to
properly evaluate the horses on race day as they have the tendency to mask lameness and respiratory problems.
In fact, over medicating with legal drugs together with lax oversight to their use has led to a consensus among equine
researchers and surgeons that legal medications such as Salix and Bute as well as cortisone shots, over time, leave a
horse vulnerable to a catastrophic breakdown. [1
horsefund.org/the-chemical-horse-part-7.php
Horseracing Wrongs dot org (See New Mexico below)
New York Times
2014/03/20 PETA accuses two trainers of cruelty to horses. By Joe Drape.
https://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/20/sports/peta-accuses-two-trainers-of-cruelty-to-horses.html
Excerpt: Over a 26-year career, the trainer Steve Asmussen has built one of horse racing’s largest and most successful
operations. He ranks second in career victories, with more than 6,700; has earned more than $214 million in purses,
the fifth most in thoroughbred racing; and was recently included on the National Museum of Racing’s Hall of Fame
ballot.
https://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/20/sports/peta-accuses-two-trainers-of-cruelty-to-horses.html
GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION
Authority Body
Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority
FTC
2022/03/04 FTC Approves Horseracing Racetrack Safety Rule
Commission issues approval for Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority’s proposed rule
https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2022/03/ftc-approves-horseracing-racetrack-safety-rule
NEW MEXICO
Farmington NM dot org
Events - Live Hourse Racing
https://farmingtonnm.org/events/live-horse-racing
Excerpt: SunRay Park & Casino brings live horse racing to Farmington every Friday, Saturday, Sunday from May 3 to
June 2, 2019 and Monday May 13th and May 20th. Post time is at 3:00 pm on Monday and Friday and 1:15 pm on
Saturday and Sunday.
Horseracing Wrongs dot org
2019/02/20 New Mexico’s Dead [Horses] So Far
https://horseracingwrongs.org/2019/02/20/new-mexicos-dead-so-far/
Excerpt-Info on organization: Horseracing Wrongs is a 501(c)(3) non-profit committed to eradicating horseracing in the
United States. We are in fact the only organization in the country that is clearly and consistently working toward that
end. Facts, as the great John Adams once declared, are stubborn things. And facts are what we present here. We
firmly believe that if those coming to this site do so with an open mind, a fresh lens, they will see horseracing not for
how it has been sold – as sport, “The Sport of Kings” – but rather as the cruel and deadly gambling industry that it is.
Patrick Battuello, Founder, President, Director (patrick@horseracingwrongs.com)
Excerpt: Through a FOIA request to the New Mexico Racing Commission, I have confirmed the following kills on that
state’s tracks in 2018. Please note, however, that this report is a work in progress: New Mexico’s records are a mess.
Included in my simple request for dead/euthanized racehorses were medication notifications, horses who died in
2017 (even one from 2016), many duplicates, and those noted as injured and/or “vanned off” but with no clear
indication of death. It’s in this last grouping that more research is needed on my part. For now, I give you what I have
so far.
Tornillo, January 5, Sunland T (“multiple fractures”)
Keep On Rockin, January 26, Sunland R (“euthanized on track”)
Pozzi Track (probably sic), January 28, Sunland T (“shoulder”)
Miss Nobility, January 30, Sunland R (“euthanized in ambulance”)
Waki’s Pride, January 30, Sunland R (“cannon”)
This Is How U Roll, February 22, Sunland T (“ankle”)
Tarzan On Fire, February 24, Sunland T (“suspect internal rupture”; two years old)
Sunny Rithm, February 25, Sunland R (“carpus”)
[…..long list goes on, see actual website for more]
https://horseracingwrongs.org/2019/02/20/new-mexicos-dead-so-far/
Bloodhorse dot com
2012/03/26. By Tom Lamarra. Udall says corruption in racing alarming
https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/130924/udall-says-corruption-in-racing-alarming
Excerpt: The sport of horse racing which, at its best, showcases the majestic beauty of this animal and the athleticism
of jockeys, has reached an alarming level of corruption and exploitation,” Udall said. “The consequence of
inconsistent state-level regulation is an epidemic of animal doping that has lead to countless euthanizations of
helpless horses and the injury and death of their riders.
“The Times exposé has shined a glaring light on the need for national standards in a sport that reaps gambling profits
but has lacked proper oversight for decades.”
https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/130924/udall-says-corruption-in-racing-alarming
Lawsuits associated with the racehorse racing world in New Mexico
Caselaw dot findlaw dot com
NO. 34,429
Decided: November 28, 2016
ARNOLDO CARRILLO SANTA FE HORSE RACING BY CARRILLO LLC v. VINCE MARES DIRECTOR OF THE NEW MEXICO
RACING COMMISSION SUNLAND PARK BOARD OF STEWARDS ZIA PARK BOARD OF STEWARDS SUNRAY PARK BOARD OF
STEWARDS RUIDOSO DOWNS BOARD OF STEWARDS…
https://caselaw.findlaw.com/nm-court-of-appeals/1755864.html
Updates: 2022/06/06 editing, adding menu-topics list to top of page, adding 2022 FTC ruling and related government section, Courier-Inside Job-2020;
2019/10/10 caselaw 2016/11/28-Carrillov.Mares etc. added; farmingtonnmorg on horse racing link added; 2019/09/29; Page started 2019/09/28 more insertions
will be added later
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Start Here
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Youtube: Horse Racing Exposed: Drugs and Death March 2014 PETA People for
ethical treatment of animals
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Horseracing Wrongs is a 501(c)(3) non-profit committed to eradicating horseracing
in the United States
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Articles
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PETA accuses two trainers of cruelty to horses. NYT-
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The Ugly Truth about Horse Racing. The Atlantic-2014/03/24 by Mark Cohen
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The Chemical Horse Part 7-horsefund dot org
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An inside job helped lead the FBI to indictments in the horse racing drug scandal.
Courier-2020/03/11-Tim Sullivan
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Government Intervention
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Authority Body
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FTC-March 2022-
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New Mexico
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Udall says corruption in racing alarming. Bloodhorse-2012/03/26. By Tom Lamarra.
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a lawsuit
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an animal protection organization
START HERE
Video
Youtube:
Horse Racing Exposed: Drugs and Death March 2014 PETA People for ethical
treatment of animals
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TJVA2lwW4A?v=9TJV
Horseracing Wrongs dot org (also listed under New Mexico below)
2019/02/20 New Mexico’s Dead [Horses] So Far
https://horseracingwrongs.org/2019/02/20/new-mexicos-dead-so-far/
Excerpt-Info on organization: Horseracing Wrongs is a 501(c)(3) non-profit
committed to eradicating horseracing in the United States. We are in fact the only
organization in the country that is clearly and consistently working toward that
end. Facts, as the great John Adams once declared, are stubborn things. And facts
are what we present here. We firmly believe that if those coming to this site do so
with an open mind, a fresh lens, they will see horseracing not for how it has been
sold – as sport, “The Sport of Kings” – but rather as the cruel and deadly gambling
industry that it is….While our focus here is on a single industry and a single species,
Horseracing Wrongs stands against all animal exploitation.stands against all animal
exploitation.Patrick Battuello, Founder,President, Director
(patrick@horseracingwrongs.com)
Resources and Input
Policing, Borders, Drugs, Cartels
and System Corruption