Chief Stipe Posted March 6, 2019 Share Posted March 6, 2019 Santa Anita Park has cancelled horse racing indefinitely after the latest in a series of horse fatalities at the renowned Los Angeles track. The track has now suffered 21 fatalities in racing and training since the winter meeting began on December 26. Santa Anita also announced it had hired Dennis Moore, the former track superintendent, as a consultant to help lead a study of the main dirt surface and the California Horse Racing Board is also investigating the matter. The announcement of the suspension comes as the track was set to host a big racing weekend featuring the Gr. 1 Santa Anita Handicap for older horses and the Gr. 2 San Felipe Stakes for three-year-old Kentucky Derby hopefuls. These features will be rescheduled as soon as possible. Mick Peterson, an expert from the University of Kentucky on surfaces, was brought in last week to examine the track. “If you can’t figure it out, you have to quit racing,” Peterson told the Los Angeles Times. “I’ve told (racing secretary) Steve Lym, keep testing until we know what’s going on. We’re all in. We’re going to figure it out.” From 2007 to 2010, Santa Anita’s dirt track was replaced with a synthetic surface called Cushion Track in an attempt to improve safety. However, the surface was criticised for unpredictable results and favouring turf horses rather than dirt specialists. Santa Anita reverted to the traditional American dirt surface in 2010 to remain a regular host venue for the annual Breeders’ Cup meeting. View the full article Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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