Churchill Downs, the operator of the famed racetrack of the identical title, canceled its spring races from 7 June and moved the remainder of the tracks to Ellis Park late Friday, following the deaths of 12 horses prior to now. introduced to maneuver. Month.
Racing continues as scheduled this weekend, opening Saturday, June 10 at Ellis Park Racing & Gaming in Henderson, Kentucky. The working firm is embarking on what CEO Invoice Kalstangen has known as an “overhaul” of its security requirements and its security requirements, protocols and observe surfaces.
What occurred at our circuit is extraordinarily upsetting and completely unacceptable,” the chief government stated in an announcement. “Regardless of our greatest efforts to establish the reason for the latest horse accidents, and though no points have been linked to the Churchill Downs racetrack or atmosphere, we’re conscious of all horse accidents. We have to spend extra time investigating it completely.” We have to make clear the small print and circumstances in order that we are able to additional strengthen our floor, security and integrity protocols. “
A latest examine by the Kentucky Racing Fee (KHRC) and the Horseracing Integrity and Security Administration (HISA) didn’t establish a particular issue contributing to the surge in horse deaths at Kentucky Derby venues. Likewise, observe testing confirmed the floor to be just like earlier years..
Deaths overshadow Churchill Downs derby success
Lower than three weeks after Derby, information arrived that Churchill Downs had canceled the Spring Video games and moved to Ellis Park. The occasion was an unabashed success for the sport operator.
Not solely is the Run for the Roses the second most watched sporting occasion in 2023 after the Tremendous Bowl, it additionally generated record-breaking stakes. The identical is true for our in depth vary of Derby Week races, together with the Kentucky Oaks race.
However the loss of life of seven horses within the 10 days main as much as the Derby casts a darkish cloud over one in every of America’s most well-known races, whereas additionally elevating consciousness of the reason for the accident. 4 of those seven horses had been euthanized after damage.
Two of these seven horses, Dad or mum’s Delight and Chasing Artie, died in mysterious circumstances, resulting in the suspension of coach Saffy Joseph Jr.
The loss of life of a horse at Churchill Downs comes at a time when the racing business is beneath strict scrutiny concerning security protocols. These deaths included greater than 30 deaths at Santa Anita Park in Los Angeles in 2019, and a number of other on the Del Mar Thoroughbred Membership close to San Diego in the identical 12 months.
A transfer to Ellis Park may make sense
Some horse racing consultants consider that if Churchill Downs has issues endangering horses, shifting to Ellis Park can be smart.
“Shifting the rest of the competitors to Ellis Park will enable us to maintain the ecosystem of this business with solely minor disruptions. Within the meantime, we thank the Kentucky jockeys for his or her help, resilience and continued partnership,” added Kirstangen.
Ellis Park, additionally operated by Churchill Downs, is positioned close to the Kentucky-Indiana border.
