Atlanta: The Santa Anita Park horse racing track near Los Angeles will not close before the end of the season as requested by regulators despite media reports that two more horses died at the course, bringing the toll to 29 since Christmas.
The leading thoroughbred racetrack voluntarily closed for most of March after a spate of racehorse deaths, most of them due to injuries. Following an inquiry by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, the track reopened, its owners pledging to implement safety reforms.
The Santa Anita track.Credit:AP
But the Los Angeles Times reported on Sunday that a four-year-old gelding, Formal Dude, was euthanased after being injured during a one-mile dirt race on Saturday, and a three-year-old filly died after cantering across the finish line.
No cause of death has yet been determined, pending a necropsy.
The California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) has asked that the track voluntarily close, according to the newspaper, but in a statement, track owners the Stronach Group said it would stay open until the season officially ends on June 23.
Astatue of Zenyatta stands in the paddock gardens area at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California.Credit:AP
"We are collectively working on behalf of everyone in the sport — grooms, hot walkers, jockeys, exercise riders, starters, trainers, owners, track managers and every horse wearing a bridle and a saddle — to reform and improve racing every day," the Stronach Group said in a statement on Sunday.
Santa Anita Park would stay open until these reforms had been completed, the company said.
The CHRB does not have the authority to immediately close the race track in Arcadia, about 24 kilometres north-east of Los Angeles. To implement a closure, the board must go through a formal process that includes a hearing with a 10-day notice period.
Reuters
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