Standing in a bone dry lot is a $628,121 winner who was passed around 46 different times from owner-to-owner and trainer-to-trainer during his harness racing career ending it in the proverbial claiming race. He waits for his trip to slaughter unless someone or the Standardbred Retirement Foundation (SRF) helps him.
Drive All Night, the son of Real Artist, left the oval, according to USTA records, in 2015, and judging by the heavy driving shoes has since been a work horse and used as transportation. He is standing in a dirt, makeshift paddock and has until Wednesday afternoon before he is loaded on the truck and sent on the heinous trip to be slaughtered. SRF will help but needs help to give this guy a chance to live out his life.
The "kill buyer" is in possession of the once healthy and strong gelding, and wants $500 to release him, whether to SRF or someone else. "He is stressed, underweight, and sadly neglected," says Judy Bokman, SRF's Director.
SRF will help but needs support to buy him quickly, ship him to a safe place; provide quarantine; remove the heavy worn out shoes and care for his neglected feet; increase his weight by a couple of hundred pounds; then ship him again to a facility where he can just "chill" and ease out of his stoicism.
"He's a classy horse, and just needs a chance to shine again," said Mrs. Bokman. "He's buddied himself up in the kill pen holding lot with 11 yr. old Alpine Avenger, who is in the same poor condition and threatening situation." SRF doesn't want to walk away from the other gelding and is hoping help will also come to him. The seller wants $500 to release him.
The horrific end to a horse's career such as this reflects poorly on racing, and on all in racing. SRF asks all speak up and urge change to the way these horses are thanked for what they give.
To help these two in imminent need, please make a tax-deductible gift through SRF's website at AdoptaHorse.org. or call Kate at SRF's office at 732-446-4422. It is expected that to purchase and provide all the care needed will cost a few thousand dollars for each of the two geldings. Help is greatly needed and appreciated.
Standardbred Retirement Foundation
www.AdpotaHorse.org