Los Alamitos Race Course Faces Shutdown Over Horse Deaths

CYPRESS, CA — The fate of the Los Alamitos Race Course hangs in the balance Friday due to an unsettling string of equine deaths at the facility. The California Horse Racing Board will hold an emergency meeting on Friday to discuss whether to shut down the course because 29 horses have died there so far this year.

Most of the horses died while racing or training, according to Mike Marten, the board's public information officer. Of the 29 fatalities, 19 died while racing or training and rest died of gastrointestinal and other types of illnesses, Marten said.

The board will consider whether to suspend racing at the track or take some other actions, Marten said.

Horse racing opponents have picketed at the track and called for it to be shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Cypress race course has found itself in the hot seat after dozens of horse fatalities at Santa Anita Race Track brought worldwide attention to the sport and the conditions the animals endure.

SEE ALSO: Horse Named 'This Is Us' Euthanized At Los Alamitos Race Course

City News Service