Unraveling the Tale of Racing Horse Withdrawals

Los Alamitos Thoroughbred Meet Withdrawals

At the Los Alamitos Thoroughbred meet from December 6th to 8th, several horses faced setbacks. McGregor Lake was scratched due to being "unsound," while Neon Lights and Big Mama Sue were both labeled "sick." Robin With a Why also had to withdraw due to an injury. These incidents highlight the challenges faced by the racing industry.

It's not just at this particular meet that such issues occurred. At "Golden State Racing," which ran its final races yesterday, there were multiple cases of horses being sick. On November 16th, West Fresno, Cee’s the Image, and Busy Making Munny were all affected. The following days saw more horses facing similar problems, with Care for Autism, Lady Good Trouble, and C Her Beauty being among those scratched due to illness on November 17th. November 23rd brought more cases, with Sound of Glory, Zelaia, and A Dime for Me all being sick, along with Tom’s Treasure being deemed "unsound." November 24th saw Thunder of Zion added to the list of sick horses. And in the later days, Aloha Chrome, Kamaina Cruiser, Tapizar Cat, Stormy Kiss, Spicy Rosso, and Union Coach were all reported as sick on November 29th and November 30th. The frequency of these withdrawals and health issues is quite alarming.

Injuries at the Starting Gate

The nightcap of one of the races was marred by two late scratches at the gate. As the field was filling the starting gate, Bobby’s Genie turned upside down in the stall, and A Dime for Me was struck by the thrashing Bobby’s Genie. When both horses were finally free from the starting structure, DVM Cloninger reported that they had suffered injuries and recommended they be withdrawn. This incident shows the potential dangers that can occur at the starting gate and the importance of ensuring the safety of the horses.

Another incident that drew attention was after the running of the 2nd race on November 29th. #2 Table of Ten fell at the 3/16 pole, suffering a catastrophic injury. The stewards reviewed the incident and ruled that the accident did not involve the majority of the field, so no change to the Order of Finish was made, and the race was deemed official. However, it still serves as a reminder of the risks involved in racing.

One of the "athletes" even lost their life, emphasizing the need for the utmost care and attention in the racing industry. The sanctity of the "Order of Finish" is important, but the well-being of the horses should always be the top priority.