Hollendorfer was banned from Santa Anita after six horses died under his watchGETTY IMAGES
The last day of Santa Anita's '18-19 winter-spring meeting brought a "collective exhale that the most tumultuous meeting in the 85-year history of the race track had ended," according to John Cherwa of the L.A. TIMES. However, the "numbers that will be associated with the last six months are not those of triumph, but tragedy," as 30 horses have "lost their lives either racing or training" at the track in that time frame. Additionally, 24 days of racing were "lost either in the name of safety or not having enough horses to race four days a week," and HOF trainer Jerry Hollendorfer was "banished from the track after six horse deaths." The track "did not make any executives available to the media" yesterday. The horse deaths at Santa Anita have "been more than a local crisis," and have "pushed the sport into an unwelcome national spotlight." The Stronach Group Chair & President Belinda Stronach has been "credited with getting this meeting to its conclusion," after there had been "serious discussions about canceling." California Horse Racing Board Chair Chuck Winner said, "I do believe that when Belinda got here, it made a significant difference. She was in charge and brought in [Stronach Chief Strategy Officer] Aidan Butler and I believe that was positive. That definitely was in my view when things started to improve" (L.A. TIMES, 6/24).
ON TO THE NEXT: The AP's Beth Harris noted there were "no incidents during morning training hours or in the 10 races" held yesterday. About 20 protesters "briefly toted signs" outside an entrance to the track, "calling attention to the deaths and condemning the sport." Horse racing now moves to Los Alamitos in Orange County beginning June 29, where the California Horse Racing Board said that a "panel will review horses entered to run there." Meanwhile, the track is scheduled to host the Breeders' Cup on Nov. 1-2, and the event's BOD "is expected to meet this week to discuss this year's location" (AP, 6/24).
