Heartbreaking News As 31st Horse Dies Since December 2018 At Santa Anita Race Track In Arcadia, California

The fall season at Santa Anita Park begins on September 27th, which in itself is disappointing news to animal advocates everywhere that are still reeling from the unconscionable number of horses that have perished on the plagued racetrack in Arcadia, California, since late last year.

Making it even more unfathomable that the barbaric “sport” is still allowed to take place comes news that Zeke, a 4-year-old gelding, has become the 31^st horse to die at the track since December 26th, 2018. The latest fatality, which occurred on Monday, was the second on the training track this year.

According to a statement issued by The Stronach Group and Santa Anita Park, the young horse had to be euthanized after he fractured his pelvis during a workout.

Zeke’s rider reportedly recognized a problem with the horse while they were working on the training track, he immediately pulled him up and a team of on-track veterinarians, including Santa Anita Park Veterinarian Dr. April Mauro, was dispatched to examine the suffering animal.

Zeke was initially stable after returning to his barn, but, unfortunately, his condition deteriorated later that evening.

“Everyone at Santa Anita and throughout The Stronach Group is devastated by this loss,” said Dr. Dionne Benson, Chief Veterinarian for The Stronach Group. “We are carefully reviewing what factors could have contributed to Zeke’s injury.”

Perhaps the most significant fact is that horse racing is not a sport but rather an industry that puts human greed and so-called “entertainment” above the life of another sentient being.

Equally tragic, as if the life and “career” of a race horse is not brutal enough, upon retirement, those that survive are usually sold for slaughter.

To appease those horrified that yet another horse has died even after Santa Anita issued a number of new safety protocols and upgraded the surface of its main track, the organization assured that the incident and subsequent necropsy report will be reviewed by the California Horse Racing Board team to learn what, if anything, could have been done to prevented the “accident.”

The Stronach Group and Santa Anita claim the safety measures they put in place ensure horse and rider safety above all else. Really? It seems that at least 31 innocent horses would still be alive if that were the case.

You can help all animals by choosing compassion on your plate. #GoVeg