The CHRB says that Heza Valentine died at Golden Gate Monday, no other details yet. He was four and had been raced eight times, most recently Feb 26 at that same track.

Then this tweet from owner Jonathan Barnes Friday: “Yesterday was a difficult day on my journey as an owner. Our three-year-old ‘Miss Taken,’ owned in partnership with the great people at @WasabiStables, had to be humanely euthanized. RIP, sweet girl.”

Then, inevitably, the prayers and condolences:

“So sorry Jon. Few things harder to accept.”

“I’m so sorry Jonathan. we loved her so much  ”

“I’m very sorry Jonathan as it must be a tremendous gut punch to you and the entire team. Sometimes the right thing to do is undoubtedly the hardest decision to make.”

“She was a very sweet girl. I loved watching her learn to navigate the world with one eye. Was very much looking forward to her next phase of training.”

“Very sorry for your loss. Been through it, it’s  . May your beloved filly rest easy.  ”

Sorry, but I find nothing more reprehensible than crying about something that you yourself are responsible for – bringing this animal into the world just to be enslaved and exploited for your monetary gain – and failing to acknowledge it.

Miss Taken (below) was actually only two, and she was being prepped for her first race. Sweet girl, yes, but poor girl is more fitting.