Santa Anita restricts training, increases scrutiny of medical records after 21 horse deaths

In response to the death of 21 horses since opening day Dec. 26, Santa Anita Park is imposing new rules that will increase its scrutiny of every horse that runs on the renowned venue’s tracks.

Trainers will have to apply for permission to conduct certain high-intensity exercises at least 24 hours in advance. Those horses will then be evaluated by track veterinarians ahead of time, according to the company that operates the track. Additional veterinarians also were hired to observe the horses as they enter and exit the tracks during training hours.

“We’re looking forward to returning to normal, but it will be a new normal,” said Tim Ritvo, chief operating officer of the Stronach Group, in a statement. “The safety of our equine and human athletes remains our highest priority.  We need to work together and continue to create not only our own internal audits, but an open and honest dialogue with all of the stakeholders and evaluate best practices at other racetracks around the world.”

Santa Anita canceled racing indefinitely after the 21st horse died March 5. Management brought in track expert Mick Peterson of the University of Kentucky and veteran track superintendent Dennis Moore to review the consistency of its dirt and turf courses.

Peterson originally cleared the track in late February following a two-day shutdown prompted by outcry over the initial 19 deaths. The track was reopened for about five days and had two more deaths in that time.

A date has not been set for the return of racing, though track management told trainers they tentatively planned to resume on March 28.

The venue has experienced more than 15 inches of rain in the past three months, leading some experts to worry about the consistency of the venue’s dirt track. So far, however, no problems have been identified with the racing surface. That evaluation is still ongoing and Santa Anita is expected to continue to retain Peterson and Moore’s services.

The changes announced by Santa Anita are designed to lessen other potential factors in the deaths. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals have accused trainers, owners and veterinarians of using medications that mask injuries. Training sessions are typically not scrutinized as heavily as actual races, where state veterinarians inspect horses and conduct drug testing.

The necropsies on the horses that have died have not yet been completed.

Additionally, Santa Anita is creating a director of equine welfare position, held by an accredited veterinarian, that will have “oversight of all aspects of equine well-being,” according to a statement from the Stronach Group. The director will lead a rapid response team that will conduct investigations into injuries and relay their findings to the public.

A new house rule also will require that veterinary records follow horses through trainer and ownership changes, including private sales.

“This has worked very well at Gulfstream Park,” Ritvo said in a statement. “There was some pushback from the trainers at first, but this is the best thing for the horse. Now, everyone has bought into the process as they realize they are also on the receiving end of this information intended to understand the full medical history of that horse.”

The other changes largely revolve around traffic management. Requiring trainers to apply for permission in advance will allow Santa Anita to limit the number of horses on the track in a given day. In addition, the first 15 minutes of training after the main track opens, and after the track is reset, will be reserved for horses working for an official clock time, in an effort to limit traffic, according to Santa Anita.

The Stronach Group is investigating other advancements and technologies that will allow for better injury detection and prevention, according to Ritvo.