Churchill Downs is under surveillance on Thursday after 12 horses were fatally injured in the past five weeks take measures This was to prevent trainers from running unhealthy horses.
The company said in a statement that the home of the Kentucky Derby will no longer offer incentives to horses to race or trainers who pay purses from first to last. Instead, payouts are limited to the top five.
In addition, horses are allowed to run only four times during the eight-week rolling period, and horses that lose by more than 12 horse lengths in five consecutive runs are disqualified until the horse doctor approves their return to racing.
The change suggests that Churchill believes that a bonus policy aimed at providing a fuller field for general bettors may have influenced jockeys’ decision-making. .
On Saturday, for example, a 7-year-old filly named Kimberly Dream made her 61st start in a $40,000 race with just five runners. She has failed to show her competitiveness in her last five runs, losing by 19 to 33 lengths. Kimberly Dream broke down in the upperstretch and was ejected in a van and euthanized.
Under the new rules, effective immediately, the filly would not have been eligible for the start gate. This horse was owned and trained by Freddie D. Winston. He could not be reached for comment.
The move was announced after an emergency summit of veterinarians in Lexington, Kentucky. Horse Racing Fairness and Safety Authority To investigate a spate of horse deaths, two of them occurred on the Kentucky Derby undercard on May 6. The death casts a shadow over the Triple Crown season, a few weeks each spring when casual sports fans develop an interest in horses. race.
Dr. Jennifer Durenberger, the agency’s director of horse safety and welfare, met with veterinarians in Churchill Downs and Kentucky to review veterinarian and trainer records of necropsies, toxicology reports, and deaths. .
On Thursday, shortly after the first race on Churchill’s Twilight card, officials said Dr Durenberger would conduct additional post-entry screenings starting Saturday to identify horses that may be at increased risk of injury. announced. The survey includes past performance, horses that have not practiced timing or raced for more than 60 days, and medical history in the past 30 days.
On Wednesday, longtime California racetrack manager Dennis Moore surveyed Churchill Downs and conducted his own analysis of the racing suitability of the dirt and turf courses. The investigation is ongoing and the results of the investigation will be made public once completed, officials said.
On Tuesday, the agency’s chief executive, Lisa Lazarus, said she was considering whether to recommend Churchill officials stop the race to allow further investigation. Lazarus was not immediately available for comment.
Kentucky-based trainers and veterinarians also met with California equine surgeon Dr. Ryan Carpenter on Thursday to discuss advanced interventions that can be considered for specific injuries.
“We feel obligated to provide the latest in surgical interventions from professionals who experienced the challenges we face today in California years ago,” said Churchill Downs Equine Medical Director. Physician Dr. Will Farmer said: “Any decision must be made with the horse’s long-term health in mind first and foremost.”
