This past Saturday, November 2nd, saw the total number of horses who have died at Santa Anita Thoroughbred Race Track, Arcadia, California, rise to 37 as Mongolian Groom (pictured) sustained an injury to his left-hind leg during the Breeder’s Cup Classic. The horse had to be euthanized.
Santa Anita Park came under fire in March when 21 horses died since December 26th, 2018. That number has steadily risen this year until Saturday’s race- the Breeder’s Classic Cup.
37 horses!! What is wrong with this picture? Is this normal? Fact- horses do die at race tracks. In the 2015-16 racing season, 14 horses died. During the 2016-17 season, 8 horses died. Now we’re talking about a number unheard of in horse racing circles.
Santa Anita Park suspended its racing in February temporarily after the 19th horse death and again in March after 2 more horses were euthanized due to injuries.
At that time, the owners of the park said there would be sweeping new restrictions on treating horses with drugs including banning race day drugs, an overall ban on Lasix, a diuretic, and new rules on the use of anti-inflammatory drugs. The park also agreed to invest in better diagnostic equipment to help in the early detection of pre-existing conditions.
Two days after the March suspension was lifted, another horse died at the same park. In that case, live surveillance watched by CA regulators showed a trainer’s assistant carry a bucket into the stall of a horse named Tick Tock. Within minutes, a white foam could be seen on the horse’s lips. Performance-enhancing drugs are known to cause this reaction. Syringes were found in the bucket by investigators and a fatigue-fighting agent known as milkshake, was also found. Investigators believed the horse received the combination of these drugs which most likely led to his death.
Now here we are, 10 months after the 1st horse died and now we’re witnessing 37 horses’ deaths.
What did the investigation uncover? Did the horses died as a result of medication? What would cause this high number of horses to succumb at a horse track? The answers to these pertinent questions are needed.
Isn’t it time to keep this park closed until a complete investigation is conducted and the root of the cause of so many horses’ deaths is discovered? Animal activists along with Senator Diane Feinstein (CA) and other politicians have asked for this.
The sheer number of deaths should be shocking enough to stop the races. But, horse racing is a lucrative pastime for owners and spectators. In fact, the Breeder’s Cup Classic was worth $6 million dollars!
Money is a key factor as to why the races haven’t stopped. No denying it. It is a billion dollar industry despite its fading popularity.
Despite the task force investigation, horse racing has continued at this venue with no end in sight despite 37 deaths.
It is time for racing to stop at this park until a full and complete investigation uncovers the reasons why too many horses have died? This couldn’t be more clear to anyone. Is it clear to Santa Anita Park?
Tina Evangelista-Eppenstein is a television talk show host, speaker, writer, and an unabashed animal advocate. Her love for animals and quest for the hard truth is what drives her passion for all things animals. She hosts the television show, “A Close Up Look at Animal Welfare Issues.” She adores her tripawd, Brody, who was a formerly abused pup who lost his leg because of cruelty inflicted upon him. If you’d like Tina to talk to your group or have a story, please email her at tevangelistaepp@yahoo.com. Like https:www.facebook.com/ACloseUpLookatAnimalWelfareIssues and be sure to check out AnimalWelfareIssues.com.
Horse racing is too profitable for it to end. They don’t care enough unless it interferes with profits.
It’s all about the money. Giving horses drugs which makes them die shows it’s only about the money. It’s sick and depraved. What won’t people do to animals in order to make a profit? SICK
What the hell is wrong with the race track? Why hasn’t a formal investigation been done? This is outrageous to have 37 horses die and the year isn’t over.
Shame on them to continue this “sport.” It’s not a sport. They give drugs to the horses to perform better so the stupid people can win money. Insanity.
Crazy people.
I’m hoping for a formal investigation too!
They need to be shut down until they figure out what’s happening.
You won’t stop horse racing. too profitable.
Do the right thing and stop horse racing at this track.
I feel so bad for these horses.
What are they doing to them to be hurt and then be killed?
Cruel sport.
Once I learned what they do to the horses for them to win in addition to what they do to horses that didn’t do well, I saw horse racing for what it truly is. Money. Plain and simple.
Even winning horses are sold to slaughter houses. From winning to be brutally killed.
You can’t say you love these horses if you’re willing to give them performance-enhancing drugs.
You also can’t say you love these horses if you give them to a slaughter house.
It won’t end. That’s when.