2 More Horses Die: Horse Death Toll Climbs At Del Mar

DEL MAR, CA — Two more race horses have died after injuries and other issues stemming from the Del Mar Racetrack.

A race horse injured at the Del Mar Racetrack last week was euthanized Monday after developing acute laminitis in both hind legs. Princess Dorian suffered a leg fracture at Del Mar on Nov. 10, the same day 3-year-old gelding Ghost Street and 3-year-old colt Prayer Warrior suffered catastrophic injuries at the track.

Previous coverage: Two Horses Die At Del Mar Racetrack, Another Injured

Princess Dorian was taken to the San Luis Rey Equine Hospital, which is adjacent to the San Luis Rey Downs training center. She underwent surgery the following day and her condition appeared to be improving prior to the development of laminitis, a painful inflammation of the hoof that can cause irreparable damage to a horse's ability to walk.

As recently as Sunday, her trainer and co-owner Andrew Learner had told the San Diego Union-Tribune that the horse was expected to make a full recovery.

"The vets said it came out of left field," Lerner told the Daily Racing Form Monday morning. "She became very uncomfortable behind. It happened so quickly. It took everyone by surprise, owing to the way she had been doing. We had said all along that we wouldn't let her suffer."

A second horse died of unrelated causes Sunday morning. The 3-year-old filly Slewgoodtobetrue collapsed in Del Mar's barn area after a workout. She had made only six career starts, and most recently raced in April.

The four deaths have heightened the scrutiny placed on horse racing since a rash of deaths at Santa Anita Park earlier this year. Officials with the California Horse Racing Board and Santa Anita owner The Stronach Group enacted a series of new rules during a racing year in which 37 horses died at Santa Anita.

Animal rights activists and members of the Coalition for Horseracing Integrity were outraged at the news.

"As the body count continues to climb, the American public's view of the sport continues to decline," said Marty Irby, executive director of Animal Wellness Action, a member of the Coalition for Horseracing Integrity.

"Our modern-day society will no longer tolerate the deaths of our iconic American horses for entertainment — this isn't Ancient Rome, it's 2019. American horseracing is addicted to drugs, and it's time for intervention."

Animal rights activists are expected to attend this week's meeting of the CHRB, which will be held Thursday at the Hilton Del Mar.

By City News Service; Kristina Houck/Patch contributed to this report.