Yet another recent racing horse death at Los Alamitos Race Course in Cypress has once again put the local facility under the microscope of the California Horse Racing Board, which for now, announced it is merely monitoring safety steps being taken at the facility.
According to a statement by the California Horse Racing Board, track owners have agreed to consult a racing surface expert on the condition of the dirt track after four recent deaths have prompted concern.
“The California Horse Racing Board has been in contact with personnel and executives at Los Alamitos Race Course concerning the four recent catastrophic injuries of horses at that facility,” the state agency said in a statement.
In 2021, the CHRB granted Los Alamitos Race Course a one-year license after a string of earlier deaths. The track had twice made changes in 2020 and the board only granted the one-year permit after track owner Edward Allred threatened to shut it down.
After a string of four recent deaths, the CHRB said it is working with Los Alamitos to eliminate obstacles and bring in experts to create safer conditions.
The CHRB said the track is considering the elimination of “high toe grabs” on hind shoes and that a “breaking bar” used at the starting gate to aid horses in gaining footing at the start will no longer be used.
In addition, the track will confer with veterinary officials at the University of California-Davis regarding back injuries, the CHRB statement said.
Four equine fatalities at Los Alamitos in the last few weeks have led to several immediate policy changes at the track’s evening meeting for Quarter Horses and lower-level Thoroughbreds.
The CHRB said the recent fatalities began March 12 when the Thoroughbred mare Ballet Royalty collapsed after finishing last of five. Her death was classified as a “sudden death” case, according to the racing board, and will result in a post-mortem examination.
The three other recent fatalities at Los Alamitos were caused by musculoskeletal injuries sustained by Quarter Horses.
Here are the circumstances laid out by the board:
• The 6-year-old mare Ballet Royalty finished fifth (last) in the first race at Los Alamitos on March 12. She galloped back and was unsaddled, but then she collapsed while walking off. This is termed a “sudden death.” As always, a postmortem examination will be performed to provide more insight.
• The 3-year-old filly Fastidious pulled up before the wire in the seventh race on March 19 at Los Alamitos. The injury required euthanasia.
• The 5-year-old horse Stolen Lives pulled up while galloping out after the ninth race at Los Alamitos on March 20. The jockey dismounted, then the horse was vanned off. The injury required euthanasia.
• The unraced 3-year-old colt See You At Front sustained an injury while galloping during training on the morning of March 23, requiring euthanasia.
In its statement, the racing board suggested that the elimination of the breaking bar and some toe grabs on hind shoes may reduce leg injuries.
Media reports indicate the latest fatalities make nine fatalities this year at tracks or training centers under the jurisdiction of the racing board. Los Alamitos has had four fatalities, while Golden Gate Fields and Santa Anita have had two each. One was recorded at the San Luis Rey Downs training center.
“For people like us who love horses, we grieve every death,” said Dr. Edward Allred, the owner of Los Alamitos Race Course. He said the public should understand that Los Alamitos Race Course is regularly used for training of between 1500 -2000 race horses and although incidents do seem to happen in batches, he said the situation should always be viewed in context.
“We don’t think it’s a problem with the track, but we’re always open to make things better,” said Allred.
He said the track’s safety consultant, Dennis Moore, has been with Los Alamitos Race Course for decades, “just like his father before him. “We love horses and always provide them with the best possible circumstances,” said Allred.
The CHRB said it will continue to closely monitor and scrutinize activities at Los Alamitos and will take appropriate action as needed.
