The investigations into three horse fatalities at Keeneland since last Friday are still in the early stages. The probes come during a time of heightened awareness of racing-related deaths, including a number of fatal injuries in California.
Chief Racing Veterinarian for the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission Bruce Howard said the injuries to Triggerman, Stella D’oro and Fast Dreamer occurred at different spots on the tracks, dirt and turf. Howard noted blood samples have been sent to the lab, jockeys and trainers will be interviewed, and necropsies will be done on the horses. He added that exam can demonstrate the exact nature of the injury. “Other information that we may not see immediately that the necropsy can help us with is if there is any pre-existing injuries, any pre-existing conditions in these horses. That’s always something that we look for,” said Howard.
Howard said interviews with the jockey can lend light on if the horses did anything unusual. Howard said physical exams are done in the stall pre-race. “If we spot lameness and they’re consistent lameness, then those horses are scratched and not allowed to compete. They’ll go on a vet’s list and work off the vet’s list and satisfy us that they’re sound enough to compete,” explained Howard.
Howard said there were four horses euthanized during Keeneland’s Spring meet in April.?
Legendary jockey Pat Day spoke to the Lexington Rotary Club Thursday. He said these types incidents seemed to be cyclical. Fatalities seem to occur in increased numbers, then stop with no breakdowns for a while, and then may pick up again.
He believes national uniformity in drug use and testing is a good idea, but will be hard to carry out. Day added, “racing is resilient and it’s going to survive, we just don’t know for sure exactly what it’s going to look like.”
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