Indictments, Abuse, Neglect, Oh My.

The world of equine trade is a seedy under belly of vile individuals, who always seem to be up to their old tricks.  

Of course some individuals over at Penn National are no exception to that statement.

From a groom to a owner, and of course back to a chicanery horse dealer.  Some just never seem to lose those stripes.

I present to you the latest victim of Kristy Haugh who happens to be wadding in the cesspool.


Diamonds For Mia.

A far cry from her days on the track.

Another, Irish Wind.

How Irish Wind was sent to his new home.

Strangles, poor body condition, see the trend now?

Riddle me this.  Just how is it that Equine Harmony Unlimited is being allowed to continue to operate?

Clearly aside of the obvious anti cruelty violations.  These horses were not fit for sale.  Let's read this together, to make sure that my spectacles are not failing me.

Proof is in the pudding, now isn't it?

A esteemed owner at Penn National, racing horses that once belonged to the indicted Sam Webb, and running that travesty of a program out of his property.  Surely there is no "hidden" agenda there, right?

It takes a man to make a Devil.

In a typical maniac Monday at New Holland, there are those small treasures of fate that happen.  Fortunately for Lightening's Diablo he was a recipient of that streak of fate.

Lightening Diablo was sold for $50,000 as a two year old in training at the March 2008 Barretts Sale.  The son of 2005 Kentucy Derby winner, Monarchos out of Housebuster stakes placed mare House Virgin broke his maiden at Hollywood Park first time out under Doug O'Neil and went on to earn a 2nd in the Lost in the Fog Stakes, and a 3rd in the Santa Rosa Conniver Juvenile Stakes, within 3 months.  Lightening Diablo continued to race under Doug O'Neil until Decemeber of 2008. 

At some point he made his way here to the East Coast, and last raced under Annette Aulbach.

I am sure that he was placed into what thought was a secondary career for whatever the reason, and that he would have a long fulfilling life.  Sometime in between then and now Lightening Diablo ended up at what is known as the largest Kill Auction east of the Mississippi, New Holland, PA.   

Lightening Diablo was consigned to New Holland by one of the well known kill buyers, good ole' Bruce Rotz, strange.  How did he end up with Bruce?  There is no secret that a lot of horse owners, and traders alike "cash in" horses that are not profitable, or just need of quick disposal and fast cash.  The question is who cashed in this Multiple Stakes Placed horse?

Lightening Diablo is now safe with a group of individuals that will keep him protected, and ensure that he does not end up back in the circuit.  We are thankful for the diligence that seems to lack among the owners, trainers, and breeders.

This horse could have of been a another statistic also had fate decided not intervene.

The horse above pictured is Green Wave Uly (Kentucky Bred 2010 model), his sire is Yes It's True out of mare Unkatzable (daughter of AP Indy) who was sold in foal (to Yes It's True) for 340,000 at the Keenlanad sale in November of 2009 as part of the Overbrook Farm dispersal.

Somewhere along his 9 starts, with only one win and two seconds, his last race being in Beluah Park coming in at fifteen and half lengths behind with the comment on the race card being "failed to menace", he left the hands of Gerado Carrillo-Dominguez, owner Richard Sheets, and breeders KatieRich Stables, to end up in a $2500.00 claimers race in March of 2013, a far cry from 8 months prior when he was put into a $16,000.00 claimers.   Green Wave Uly ended up in the clutches of Mark Bliss.  Who seems to be making a point of taunting Penn Gaming's Zero Tolerance Policy.  Testing the boundaries and limitations of what little protection exist for the thoroughbreds.

While according to the policy Mark Bliss has done absolutely nothing wrong, the horse did not get purchased with the intentions of slaughter at the sale, he even goes as far to write on the papers (if found in slaughter lot please call, if you don't want the horse please call, etc. etc.).

Mark even goes as far to not only consign the horse(s), he even chooses to stick around for the festivities of the sale.

If this isn't a quintessential middle finger to Penn Gaming, obviously I am Mother Theresa.  Green Wave Uly sold to well known trader and dealer Jesse Austin, and while Jesse is no kill buyer, he is a trader and dealer, which ultimately can leave many horses back into the pipe line, auction circuit putting them at great risk to end up in back of the truck on the way to Canada.  Luckily for Green Wave Uly, fate decided it was not his destination and was purchased privately in the parking lot by a unknown individual.

Once again while Mark taunts the Zero Tolerance Policy, it's painfully obvious, that there are too many loop holes to allow this type of behavior and conduct. 

So, why bother having one at all?

Apparently the devil isn't afraid to sit on the alter. Now is he?

What's a Little Pull and Push?

What's a little Pull now and again?

Not too long ago Penn National's Zero Tolerance Policy was put to the test, it involved a Thomas McClay colt and a well known low level horse dealer.   Here we are again witnessing  this very same policy being put to the test.

Pull the horse featured above was consigned to New Holland Sales Stables on Monday July, 22, 2013.  He was allegedly consigned to the pit of hell also known as New Holland, by license owner Mark Bliss who races at Beulah and Penn National under Twenty/Twenty Stables.  Before being dumped at the well known kill auction, Pull was listed with Canter on two separate occasions once in PA and Ohio, all while still being raced.   His last race was in Ohio in the beginning of April this year under Charles Lawson. Between then and now Pull landed in Bliss's clutches.

This was the end result.

That's a pretty bold policy on their part.  So, this raises a interesting question, as Pull was sold with his Jockey Club Papers and ended up in Frank Carper's pen, is Bliss tip toeing on the line in the sand?   Or once again is this policy not being enforced?  Hear no evil, speak no evil, see no evil?

And speaking of that very same policy that I posted.  I would love to know the turn out of the investigation into the Prince Michael colt that was sold to Phil Shirk.  After all Phil's reputation on the back side succeeds him.

A interesting point to be made, since Phil Shirk purchased that horse for one dollar only to consign to the New Holland that Monday, didn't Ed Price indirectly sell the horse to slaughter?  After all there was never any secret that Phil Shirk works for well known kill buyer, and flipper Brian Moore.

Maybe it's time for a little push, ya?

The Cat's Meow

           Seems as if things in PA are finally coming full circle.  Especially on the tracks for Penn Gaming.   As browsing earlier today, I came across a rather interesting post.  I was ready to break out the booze, and sing from the roof tops.  But, I shall wait patiently until more becomes uncovered.  

       But, if you follow my "the Truck is Coming Saga" and all things shady when it comes to the flippers and shippers, this name should ring a bell.  Seems as Phil Shirk just can't stay off the radar now can he?  Paulick Report there it is folk, right there.  That is correct you read it right.  And for those of you that didn't click on the link, let me just quote it here for you "Ed Price has resigned as VP Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association after Thomas McClay horse he sold to Phil Shirk went to New Holland kill pen."   Well let's put a face with the name Phil Shirk, as Phil has made news on my blogs before for his known neglect, and mistreatment of a Standardbred left in his care.  He is also well known for his man handling, and often brutal ways of  dealing with horses.  So, without further ado.
        That my friends is Mr.Phil Shirk, and if you do some googling, you can even pull his DOT number for his "hauling" business.  

           Anyone that knows these low life dealers, know they just don't show up for only one horse.  What it leads to me ask, is one since Mr. Price sold this very horse to Phil Shirk, I would be curious as to know what happened to others?  There is no secret that Phil Shirk has been in bed with Brian Moore for a long time, after all Phil Shirk is a hustler in the horse trade, and what better way to make a quick buck than to get in bed with one of the local Kill Buyers.  (why do I feel like I am seeing a trend here amongst people?)  There is no secret that Brian has what is referred to as "direct ship" pen, horses that are from the backside of Penn National, horses that are never to be identified, horses that are never to be spoken of, and horses that are to be disposed of quietly.  It's the racing industry's dirty little secret, not so secret now, is it?  Was this a hauling job for Moore?  I mean when you look at the bigger picture, it would make sense.  As Brian Moore is very well known as a kill buyer, and would easily be recognized by his trucks and trailers.  So, what is a business man to do, simple, send in a henchman to pick the load up, after all there has to be away to get around that pesky zero tolerance policy right?   That is how it is done.  Very clear, very black and white.  The only grey area would be, was that horse left with Phil as payment from Moore?   After all, we know no one does shit for free.  Keep Brian's face in mind when you decide that it's time for your horse to go to auction, or your horse isn't running the way you would like.  My friends for something to haunt your dreams, here is Brian Moore himself. 

                                   

   Of course and I must not forget his right hand man, as seen at Middleburg, Unidalla, and of course good ole New Holland.  I present Chuck Beam or known as Chuckie Beam.

           
                 Remember these faces, know who to look for especially on the back sides of the tracks.  Know where your horses go, and even if it's not your horse, speak up, let it be known.  Often too many times people stay quiet about what goes on, so how does the problem stop if know one is willing to speak up?

             

Lip Service

     If you get anything from the racing industry, chances are it's nothing more than just lip service.  Turn a blind eye, a deaf ear, and keep racking in that cash.

           Over the years there have been reported cases of abuse and neglect, dumping, slaughter, hidden ownerships, all in one industry, the racing industry.  Despite the proof set forth, and witness accounts, the Jockey Club, including the State Commissions and the tracks seem to resort to hear no evil, see no evil, and speak no evil.  Apparently denial is not just another river in Egypt.  

         Despite the rules and regulations set forth by the tracks, there always seem to be hundreds, upon hundreds of horses slipping threw the cracks.  Public out cry, and demanding that policies be enforced seem to fall on deaf ears, or some bullshit public statement to pacify those that don't really know what is going on.  

          Here we have our latest tragedy down in Louisiana, I present to you the Ryder Ridge River Farm saga.  Look for yourself.  Lip service, not just from the track, but also from the local police.  Well, these pictures seem to paint a different story now don't they?

    Each track has their own set of policies, and regulations that need to be upheld, and those do vary from state.  But, this is unacceptable.  However this is the wonderful statement that ;
                                            Delta Downs has received a number of comments in the past several days from individuals concerned about the care of horses. We want all of our Facebook friends, and the community at large to know we are totally committed to supporting humane policies and practices regarding the treatment of horses, especially those in the care of individuals holding a license to race. We have conveyed your concerns to the State Racing Commission, and will continue to do whatever we can to support these authorities and their commitment to the responsible, effective, and humane regulation of racing in Louisiana.

           There have been numerous rumors of neglect over a period of time, and this is what they have to offer up.  I mean isn't this bad for business?  Why would you continue to let someone like this run horses at your track?  And where is the humane society in all of this?   Why did it get to this point?  How did the authorities allow it to come to this?  Apparently in a interview, the local sheriff had been monitoring the situation?  From his car, just driving by?  Or just a phone call?   Call me silly here, but I am fairly sure doing a drive by is not sufficient, or taking the word of a person is not either.  

      Of course we all know that there is two sides to every story, but I do believe in this case there is only one side, and that side is pretty damn evident.  Wouldn't you agree?

       This would of been shoved under the rug, pushed aside, and remained rumors had it not been for Remember Me.  Any assistance they have offered to help the equines has been rejected.  

              What happens now?  More horses starve death,  more shallow graves, more lip service?  Once again Equine Welfare put to the side, not just here, but everywhere.  This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Equine Welfare.