Santa Anita Race Track Closure: Testing Underway

ARCADIA, CA — Santa Anita Park has closed the track to live racing for an indefinite period of time following 21 horse deaths related to track injuries. Whether or not the fatalities will be blamed on the rain remains a mystery. On Thursday, a renewed effort into the inspection of the racing surface was under way, while park operators worked to evaluate safety procedures and protocols.

The training track at Santa Anita has reopened, Friday, for "light training work," according to Alan Balch, the executive director of the California Thoroughbred Trainers. That track is situated between the infield and the turf course. According to a report on Bloodhorse.com, the training track was open from 5-11:30 a.m. Friday, but only for galloping and jogging.

Of the 21 fatal injuries sustained at the park, nine have occurred on the training track, Bloodhorse.com reported.

"We're very pleased that the horses and horsemen can get onto the training track for a relatively light exercise," Balch said. "That's an important first step to get back to serious training. It's very important for high-performance athletes to return to a regular routine of exercise."

The park's former track superintendent, Dennis Moore, began an inspection of the racing surface after a "harrowing and aeration," Thursday. While Moore and Peterson told track officials they do not have a timetable for when the testing will be completed, no one is rushing them.

Hours after 4-year-old filly Lets Light the Way was injured during training and had to be euthanized, becoming the 21st horse to die at the track since Dec. 26, officials made the groundbreaking decision to cancel live racing until they can figure out what has caused so many horses to break down over a short period of time.

After more heavy rain deluged the track Wednesday, Moore and Mick Peterson of Racing Services Testing Lab set out Thursday on an effort to do "additional testing of the track to ensure track consistency and uniformity for both training and racing," according to Santa Anita officials.
"At the same time, Santa Anita is conducting a comprehensive evaluation of all existing safety measures and current protocols," according to a track statement.

Tim Ritvo, chief operating officer of track owner The Stronach Group, said Wednesday:

"As horse lovers first and foremost, we are deeply saddened by the losses experienced over the past several weeks. The loss of one horse is one too many. While we can't prevent every injury, we can't overemphasize that the health and welfare of the horses and jockeys is our top priority.

"The track will be closed for live racing and training until our outside experts confirm the soundness of the track and let us know that it is safe to resume racing," Ritvo said.

Moore was Santa Anita's track superintendent until he retired in December. He is now track superintendent for Del Mar and Los Alamitos race tracks.

The suspension of racing means some critical races that had been set for this weekend have been scrubbed and will need to be rescheduled.

Santa Anita was set to have five stakes races Saturday, including the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes, in which Game Winner -- who is undefeated in four starts and was named last year's champion 2-year-old colt -- was set to make his first 2019 start as he prepares for the Kentucky Derby.

Game Winner's stablemate, Improbable, is undefeated in three starts and was also set for his 2019 debut in the same race for trainer Bob Baffert.

Other stakes races that had been set for Saturday were the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap, Grade 1 Frank E. Kilroe Mile, Grade 2 San Carlos Stakes and the China Doll Stakes.

One stakes race -- the Santa Ysabel Stakes -- was set for Sunday.

Some animal-advocacy groups, including People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, have called for a halt to racing at the track and for investigations into the trainers and veterinary records of the horses that have died.

Read Also:

Santa Anita Race Track Rained Out

3 Race Horses Euthanized After Santa Anita Race Track Disasters

20th Race Horse Dies, Santa Anita Park Closes Thursday Races

Santa Anita Race Track Closes Indefinitely After 21st Horse Death

City News Service, Patch editor Ashley Ludwig contributed to this report.