Turf mare Going to Vegas looks to cash out in Kentucky. In photo: Going to Vegas and jockey Umberto Rispoli after winning the $300,000 Grade I Rodeo Drive Stakes on Saturday at Santa Anita Park.
Judge rejects Bob Baffert's stay, delays suspension to April 4. Kentucky Horse Racing Commission suspended trainer Bob Baffert for questions surrounding dead race horse Medina Spirit having the corticosteroid betamethasone in his system when he won the Kentucky Derby last year. Medina Spirit has been stripped of that title.
Horse racing regulations lead to fewer equine deaths. Fatalities in California have been cut in half in 2 years and plummeted to the lowest levels since 1990 as a result of reforms implemented after dozens of death at Santa Anita Park in 2019. The reforms in the last two years include strict limitations on use of whips by jockey, a prohibition on most medications before races, installation of new imaging technologies to catch injuries sooner, more opportunities for veterinarians and stewards to sideline horses and a mandatory requirement for trainers to participate in the postmortem.
Santa Anita Park looking for a brighter future. When Aidan Butler, Executive Director of California Racing Operations for The Stronach Group took over at Santa Anita about a year ago, he couldn't have envisioned the road blocks his first year--heavy rains that postponed opening day, the COVID-19 pandemic, recent brush fires that forced the fall meet to be postponed. He discusses the difficulties this year, the new turf chute and the future.
Santa Anita Park: no crimes in horse deaths report says. California Horse Racing Board's yearlong investigation into deaths of 23 horses at Santa Anita Park has determined there were no violations of animal welfare laws and no evidence of illegal medications, but exams possibly were compromised by anti-inflammatory medications. All but two of the horses that died between December 30, 2018 and March 31, 2019 appeared to have preexisting injuries caused by high-intensity racing and training. Senator Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif. said the report makes it clear that transparency is needed in the sport. She has called for the passage of the Horseracing Integrity Act, a bill that would establish a national anti-doping authority for the country.
Mailbag topic-George "The Iceman" Woolf was a Canadian jockey famous for riding the great Seabiscuit to victories in 1938. The 35-year-old was unseated from his horse Please Me during a race on January 3, 1946, suffered a concussion and died the next day. He was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale. Gene Autry sane at his funeral.
What is the horse racing industry doing to prevent catastrophic injuries? The deaths of 7 horses at the home of the Kentucky Derby has once again intensified the debate over the safety of horse racing. How common are injuries and deaths? There have been a spate of deaths in recent years, most notably 30 at Santa Anita Park in 2019. Those led to a series of safety reforms that spread nationally. Article also answers the questions, Why are horses euthanized after a limb injury? Are there treatment alternatives? What is racing doing to address injuries? Who was Barbaro and why did he matter?
Tim Yakteen, a trainer who was an apprentice under Bob Baffert earlier in his career, brings two top horses to the Kentucky Derby. He is the trainer in charge at Churchill Downs. Includes biographical information.
Taiba among trainer Bob Baffert's 5 winners on opening day at Santa Anita Park, in front of a crowd of 41,446. The crowd, Santa Anita park's largest on opening day since 46,514 showed up in 2016.
Foul weather foils New Year's Day racing at Santa Anita Park--its New Year's Day racing was canceled 5 1/2 hours before first post after a light rain fell through much of Saturday's card and intensified throughout the night and into Sunday morning (January 1).
Santa Anita Park cancels all weekend racing due to unprecedented winter weather forecast for Southern California. A storm is expected to drop 6 inches of rain through Saturday.
Breeders' Cup World Championships at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia. Horse racing in the air as Breeders' Cup beckons. Horse racing showcases its all-star talent with 14 races today and tomorrow.
Breeders' Cup-Bettors have to be picky. Tips for taking advantage of long menu of wagers Friday and Saturday at Santa Anita Park. Includes facts and figures for this year's 40th running.