Racehorse Dies After Fatal Race At Los Alamitos Track

LOS ALAMITOS, CA — A race at Los Alamitos Race Course turned fatal, Sunday, officials reported. This was the second equine death at the track this month, according to state records. Los Alamitos remains open during the coronavirus pandemic, while Santa Anita closed down its course last week.

Flokie, a 2-year-old gelding that won the $1,070,000 Ed Burke Million Futurity last September, sustained fatal injuries during his last race, Sunday, according to the California Horse Racing Board.

Chickititas Favorite, a 3-year-old gelding, died at the track on March 8.

In February, Radio Tim, a 3-year-old gelding, and Street Machine, a 5-year-old gelding, were fatally injured. Four horses sustained fatal injuries in January at the Los Alamitos race course.

Horse racing has drawn increased scrutiny since 37 horses died at Santa Anita racetrack in Arcadia during the 2018-19 racing season.

Both Santa Anita and Los Alamitos have been the targets of protests in recent months by animal rights activists who want to put an end to the sport. Los Alamitos continues to run races Friday through Sunday night, conducted with no spectators and only essential personnel and staff, the racetrack says on its website. Fans can view the live races for free at www.losalamitos.com.

The California Horse Racing Board said on Friday that it was "relying on state, county and local health authorities to determine whether horse racing is deemed essential for exemption from shelter-in-place orders issued by those authorities."

The horse racing board said it would "assist health authorities in enforcing their decisions."