Two Horses Euthanized At Santa Anita Park As It Prepares To Host The Breeder’s Cup

Two horses were euthanized the past weekend after suffering injuries at Santa Anita Park, bringing the number of horses to 36 to die at the renowned Southern California track.

A two-year-old filly named Bye Bye Beautiful was euthanized on Sunday after sustaining a severe injury during a race. The death trailed a training incident on Friday, when GQ Covergirl, a six-year-old mare, was euthanized following an injury to both of her front legs.

These incidents occurred just days before when Santa Anita Park will host the 2019 Breeders' Cup World Championships. Critics had called for those races to be moved from the racetrack — an initiative that didn't come to completion.

Craig Fravel, Outgoing Breeders' Cup Ltd. CEO said in an interview recently that the prominent race did not choose to change venues because "when people are trying to do the right thing, you need to stick with them."

After this year's Breeders' Cup, Fravel will move on to supervise racing operations for Santa Anita Park's owner, The Stronach Group said.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals have called on law enforcement to scrutinize the dead horses' trainers.

"Santa Anita has taken extraordinary measures to protect horses, but it can't criminally investigate trainers and veterinarians for the deaths of Bye Bye Beautiful and the other horses," said PETA Senior Vice President Kathy Guillermo. He said that the PETA again called on the District Attorney's office to release the findings of its investigation into the deaths of the horses immediately and hold those accountable.

The track in Los Angeles County adjourned racing for most of March — when the number of horse deaths reached nearly 24.

The racetrack reopened in late March after the park declared several changes, including limiting the use of pain or anti-inflammatory drugs for horses and increasing the time required for horses to be on-site before a race. The track also has a new drainage system inevitable to make it safer.

But more horses have died ever since the park reopened for its autumn meet. Activists for the abolition of horse racing have stated these incidents as an example of poor living conditions that racing horses sustain.

Patrick Battuello, the founder of Horseracing Wrongs, told National Public Radio that no extent of precautions taken by Santa Anita Park will prevent deaths.

An online petition calling for Santa Anita Park to shut down has garnered nearly 130,000 signatures.

Rick Baedeker, executive director of the California Horse Racing(CHRB) had expressed his concerns on the increasing number of horse deaths.

Both CHRB and the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office have commenced investigations into fatalities at Santa Anita Park. The CHRB's findings are scheduled to be issued this December.