The CHRB has revealed that One More Bid, who died training at Santa Anita Thursday, was the victim of “sudden death.” That’s “sudden death” – at the tender age of four. Two addendums on this kill. First, and as is usual with the deaths of high-profile horses, there was this bit of obscenity from OMB’s owners, California Racing Partners:

“Today, we bid a heartfelt farewell to our beloved One More Bid. His spirit, grace, and unforgettable presence will forever gallop in our memories. Thanks for the memories and the joy you brought us. Rest in peace, champ.”

Then there was the embarrassing spectacle of CHRB spokesman Mike Marten attempting to explain (to City News Service) this latest kill away:

“As the CHRB, with the full cooperation of the racing industry, continues to reduce the number of equine fatalities each year – reduced by more than 50% in the last few years – there are fewer musculoskeletal fatalities associated with racing and training. Therefore, as a percentage of overall fatalities, sudden deaths have become a larger percentage, as the raw number has remained constant. There are not more sudden deaths than before. It just appears so in light of the decrease from other causes.”

And:

“Sudden deaths are a worldwide problem, and not just among racehorses. Sudden deaths occur in other animal populations, as well as occur among humans, particularly athletes.”

So much to unpack there. In 2021, 74 (that we know about) horses were killed at Cal tracks. In 2022, the toll was 64. This year, with a full month to go, we’re at 78. Is that progress? And does it really matter how they die? Also, where’s the data on sudden deaths in other adolescent animal populations? And finally, they revisit one of their favorites – the big lie of deaths among human athletes, something I’ve covered several times, most recently in June. The upshot: Horseracing kills about as many in one day as the four major professional sports leagues have in their collective 407 years.

They distract, dissemble, and deceive because they have to. Their product is inherently cruel and inevitably deadly. And slowly but surely the American public is catching on.