Santa Anita Race Track Has 20th Horse Death Since December

On March 3, 2019, during the third race at Santa Anita race track, Eskenforadrink, a 4-year-old filly was being ridden by Jockey Geovanni Franco. The jockey pulled her up, and the filly’s front leg was injured. The horse required euthanasia.

The track at Santa Anita race track was wet, and the dirt surface was rated sloppy on the day of the race. It is unclear if the track condition had anything to do with the filly’s injury.

Since Dec. 26, 2018, Santa Anita had 20 horse deaths.

On March 3, 2019, animal rights activists protested near the race track in Arcadia. About a dozen protesters held signs saying “Bets kill horses,” “How many horses have to die!” and “It is not a sport. It is violence.”

Officials at Santa Anita announced on March 3 that due to heavy rain and poor weather conditions forecast on Tuesday and Wednesday, racing would be put on hold until Friday.  They also said the facility would be open for training.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) wrote a statement demanding the track close. They said:

“Twenty dead horses is 20 too many. No horse should die.  The responsible thing to do is to close the track immediately to prevent any more deaths. Law enforcement must investigate to determine if trainers were forcing horses with injuries to run.”

Written by Barbara Sobel

Sources:

NECN: Santa Anita Racetrack in Calif. Has 20th Horse Death
NBC News: Santa Anita racetrack has 20th horse death, with filly euthanized after serious injury
Western Mass News: 20th horse dies at California race track since December

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