LUBBOCK, Texas -- EverythingLubbock.com recently obtained a complaint sent to the Texas Department of Public Safety from PETA that claimed there at least 50 unlicensed horse racing tracks in Texas, with several near the South Plains area. The complaint documented unsanctioned tracks in Lubbock, Levelland, Muleshoe, Plainview, Hereford, Amarillo, Perryton and Odessa, among dozens of Texas cities.
It was previously reported that multiple people were arrested after an operation at a property connected to the Carril Mochomos racetrack near Levelland.
DPS said 135 grams of cocaine and numerous gambling devices were seized.
While nine people were arrested through indictments, more people were arrested after law enforcement found additional evidence on scene. Through public records, EverythingLubbock.com discovered the following people were arrested during Sunday’s operation in Hockley County:
The Texas Racing Commission (TXRC) on Tuesday said gatherings for horse racing activities are often called “brush tracks.” TXRC said brush tracks are often a magnet for “criminal activity and animal cruelty.”
“Illicit racing at brush tracks pose a direct risk to the health and safety of racing animals and undermines the integrity of legitimate racing in our state,” a statement from TXRC read. “In addition to electrical shocking devices to inflict pain on racing horses, illegal equine and human drugs were discovered, as well as gambling devices and paraphernalia, and large caches of currency.”
The complaint PETA sent to DPS stated race teams and jockeys inject horses with "performance-enhancing substances" at these events. The complaint stated substances included controlled stimulants like cocaine, methamphetamine, and methylphenidate. According to the complaint, jockeys were accused of relentlessly whipping and shocking the horses to make them run faster. The complaint said this treatment leads to injuries, and even death.
Documents included several screenshots from social media accounts associated with the Texas brush tracks. Multiple photos in the complaint showed trainers and jockeys holding syringes. Some photos showed bloody injection sites on the horses' necks.
The complaint from PETA also accused unsanctioned race teams of importing horses without required documentation. Texas law states all equine animals coming from another state must have an entry permit for health reasons. One of the tests is called the “Coggins,” which tests for equine infectious anemia (EIA).
The U.S. Department of Agriculture said EIA is a viral, sometimes fatal disease, that only affects equine animals. There is no treatment, according to the USDA. Once an animal is infected, they can infect others for life. They must either be euthanized, or completely isolated for the rest of the animal’s lifetime. According to the Texas Animal Health Commission, animal health requirements must be met regardless is a racing track is sanctioned or unsanctioned.
Quarter horse racehorses have been at high risk for the disease since about 2017. Public records showed at least 22 horses in Texas have been confirmed to be positive for EIA in 2024 so far.
“The Texas Racing Commission is a specialized law enforcement agency willing to lend its expertise to any enforcement partner to prevent illegal gambling on horseracing in Texas,” said Amy F. Cook, executive director of the TXRC. “Illicit racing at brush tracks pose a direct risk to the health and safety of racing animals and undermines the integrity of legitimate racing in our state.”
EverythingLubbock.com has requested additional court documents from Hockley County. An update will be provided if necessary.
Click here to read the complaint that was sent to Texas law enforcement.
