Calif. Horse Racing Board Delays Report On Santa Anita Deaths

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA -- California's horse-racing regulators on Thursday delayed the results of their investigation into the 37 horse deaths at Santa Anita last season, but did manage to tentatively approve new rules on jockeys whipping horses during races.

At Thursday's meeting of the California Horse Racing Board in Los Alamitos, CHRB Executive Director Rick Baedeker said the results of the board's investigation into the rash of racehorse deaths at Santa Anita won't be ready until the next CHRB meeting, scheduled for mid-January at Santa Anita.

Santa Anita -- and the sport in general -- has been under heavy scrutiny since the deaths at the Arcadia track started garnering more media attention in 2019 than in seasons past. The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office is also conducting a criminal investigation into the deaths.

Under the tentative whipping rule, which was approved during Thursday's meeting, a riding crop cannot be used more than two times in succession and six times during the entirety of a race. Use of the crop would also be limited to an underhanded position no higher than a rider's shoulder.

The whip rules aren't final, and will undergo a 45-day review period for public comment before possible adoption.

``We just passed the most restrictive whip rule in North America and maybe in the world,'' horse racing board Chairman Greg Ferraro said.

Currently, the state allows a jockey three strikes with a crop before giving the horse time to respond, but there is no limit on the total number of strokes allowed during a race.

Jockeys who violate the rule will be subject to a fine of up to $1,000 and a three-day suspension.

City News Service contributed to this report.