Santa Anita Park, a thoroughbred racetrack that has seen 31 horses die since late December, has appointed a seven-member team of equine veterinarians to observe and examine horses either in training or scheduled to race.
The announcement was made before the track’s 23-day autumn meet gets underway Sept. 27 and almost six weeks before Santa Anita Park plays host to one of the industry’s biggest events, the Breeders’ Cup.
Owners of the Southern California track have been criticized for the deaths and have made several changes, including a new drainage system, to try to solve a wave of deaths that has stumped racing and veterinary experts. The latest fatality involved a 4-year-old gelding that pulled up on a training track Sept. 16 and was euthanized after being diagnosed with a pelvic fracture.
The veterinarian team consists of:
- Dionne Benson, DVM, JD, the chief veterinary officer for Santa Anita’s co-owner, The Stronach Group.
- Dana Stead, DVM, Santa Anita’s primary track veterinarian.
- Laurie Bohanan, DVM, Santa Anita’s senior veterinarian.
- Robert O’Neill, DVM, a Stronach Group veterinarian.
- April Mauro, DVM.
- Jay Deluhery, DVM.
- Fernanda Machada, DVM.
“Dr. Benson’s team will be reviewing all horses that have given 48-hour notice to work out on either the one-mile main track or six-furlong training track, as well as reviewing all horses that are entered to run in races,” Santa Anita reported.
“In addition to reviewing past performance, workout patterns and veterinary records, this team will continue to observe horses as they go to and exit both the main track and training track each morning, as well as observe horses as they go through their daily routines, be it jogging, galloping or breezing.
“All horses that are entered to run will be physically inspected at their respective barns and selected horses will be inspected as a part of the 48-hour workout review process.”