Third horse in three days dies at Santa Anita Park, while animal rights activists continue to push for a nationwide ban on racing. The race horses were named Tikkun Olam, Uncontainable, and Harliss. The California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) was given authority, in legislation backed by Governor Gavin Newsom, to suspend racing. Officials at Santa Anita Park released a statement reaffirming their commitment to horse safety. See also Arcadia Weekly, p. 1, January 23, 2020.
Two horses die in the span of two days from training injuries at Santa Anita Park racetrack. They were named Cayton Kid and Magnolia. Track officials noted the number of fatalities dropped sharply from 2019, when 42 horses died. According to Santa Anita Park, 17 horses died at the track in 2020 and 12 died last year. The track's safety rate has improved by 43% compared to last year.
Fourth horse dies, from training injury during Santa Anita Park's fall season. The horse was a 4 year-old filly named Star of Africa. She was owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and trained by Patrick Gallagher.
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.
Appeals court in Kentucky rejects Bob Baffert's bid to halt ban. Signage outside Baffert's barn at Santa Anita Park was removed as part of a California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) rule that mandates any trainer who is suspended for 60+ days be banned from all CHRB-licensed facilities.
Bill seeks addition to forest landscape. Rep. Judy Chu, D-Pasadena, hopes to expand San Gabriel Mountains National Monument by 100,000-plus acres with the San Gabriel Mountains Protection Act, written by Representative Judy Chu. The San Gabriel Mountains are north of Arcadia.
California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) rebuffs Santa Anita Park, gives Pleasonton thumbs up. Tensions had risen when Craig Fravel, executive vice chairman of 1/ST Racing, which runs Santa Anita Park for the Stronach Group, said in a letter to CHRB members that the Arcadia track might close if Southern California interests don't receive more simulcast wagering revenue, which would have happened if Northern California was denied a major meet.
Santa Anita Park modifiest rack after horse deaths. It is the first significant change in 67 years. Horses running 6 and 6 1/2 furlongs will instead start on a new turf chute under construction at the racetrack's northeast corner, near the Gate 5 entrance. Santa Anita Park will host a short meet September 19-October 25, still without spectators due to the coronavirus. The racing board delayed the start of the meet to give the horses time to rest and to ensure its COVID-19 protocols were in place. County officials recorded 38 coronavirus cases at Santa Anita Park by the end of its previous meet in June.
Second horse dies in two days at Santa Anita Park racetrack. Barraza, a 4 year-old colt is the second horse to die in two days, after a sesamoid injury Saturday morning during a workout, requiring euthanasia. Four year-old filly named Pray for My Owner died the day before. A total of eight horses have died at Santa Anita Park this year.
ChapCare opens weekend COVID-19 vaccination clinic at Westfield Santa Anita. Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-27) stresses the importance of getting the vaccine at a press conference last Thursday.
Santa Anita Park workers rally, seeking return of horse racing. More than 50 backstretch workers at Santa Anita Park rallied outside Board of Supervisors offices in downtown Los Angeles to request county support for a proposal to resume live horse racing. They argue they are onsite daily already caring for horses stabled at the racetrack and there would be little additional risk to host racing without spectators.
Two more horses die after injuries at Santa Anita Park. Jockey Joe Bravo was hospitalized after a tumble on horse Decorated My Life. Decorated My Life and Merit Song are the names of the horses euthanized. Six animals in all have been euthanized this year at the racetrack where twelve died last year. Santa Anita Park officials have said they've made major improvements in horse safety after 2019, when forty-two horses died at the track.
Public lands: additions sought for San Gabriel Mountains National Monument. U.S. Senator Alex Padilla and Rep. Judy Chu, D-Pasadena, push bid to expand area by 109,000 acres by designating the western Angeles National Forest as part of the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument. The San Gabriel Mountains are north of Arcadia.
Representative Judy Chu (District 28) makes special speaking appearance at Arcadia High School on February 3, 2023. She spoke about monumental issues and legislation on topics like gun control, abortion, and more, hosted by Arcadia Young Democrats. The event called "What's New with Representative Chu," was the first of its kind at Arcadia High School. Chu, the first Chinese- American woman ever elected to Congress, has had a 22-year career in politics.
Arcadia resident and philanthropist Charles Huang donates $7.5 million to Methodist Hospital of Southern California. Huang is a global entrepreneur who owns Pasadena-based private equity company Pasaca Capital Inc. His gift will fund a high-tech operating room. Representative Judy Chu is in the photo with Charles Huang. See also Mountain Views News, p. 8, July 2, 2022.
Congressional races: a look at the positions taken by candidates in local districts. In District 28, Democratic Rep. Judy Chu, is now running to represent a recently redrawn district that includes Alhambra, Monterey Park, Rosemead, and Arcadia. Her major issues include education, foreign policy, small business, and transportation. Her opponent is Republican Wes Hallman, a pilot and senior vice president of Strategy and Policy for the National Defense Industrial Association.
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.
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?
Santa Anita Park ready to open 84th winter-spring meet with new turf course. The new turf chute will accommodate sprints up to 6 1/2 furlongs. Nate Newby is the new General Manager, who began as an intern in 2002. COVID-19 repercussions make it difficult to run the track but there have been no fatalities over Santa Anita's main track during afternoon racing in 2020, following a disastrous 2019, when 37 horses had to be euthanized.
Santa Anita meet opens: no fans but record betting. Santa Anita park began its 84th winter-spring meet yesterday with no audience, but had a record-breaking opening day in betting handle, as $23,003,159 was wagered on the 11-race card. The old record of $20,491,016 was set in 2018. First-year General Manager Nate Newby hopes fans will be allowed back soon. Until such time only essential personnel and horses' owners are allowed to attend races.