Mage got a cool down with a spray of water in the winner's circle after jockey Javier Castellano rode him to win the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. on May 6, 2023.
Syndication: The Courier-Journal
(New York, NY) — Famed racetrack Churchill Downs is suspending racing operations as officials continue to look into safety measures at the track.
The past month has seen 12 horses die as a result of injuries sustained at the home of the Kentucky Derby, with no single factor identified as a potential cause, and no common pattern.
The company plans to conduct a “top-to-bottom review of all safety and surface protocols and integrity measures in collaboration and consultation with nationwide experts.”
Racing operations will be suspended beginning June 7th, and will run through the remainder of the Spring Meet, which is scheduled for July 3rd.
“We all want to find solutions that will improve safety for horses,” president of the Kentucky Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association Rick Hiles said in a statement. “However, we need to discuss allowing trainers and veterinarians to use therapeutic medications that greatly lessen the risk of breakdowns. Drastic steps, such as relocating an active race meet, should only be considered when it is certain to make a difference.”
