New protocols put in place at Los Alamitos following fatalities

Four equine fatalities at Los Alamitos in the last two weeks has led to several immediate policy changes at the track’s evening meeting for Quarter Horses and lower-level Thoroughbreds.

The California Horse Racing Board announced Thursday that the track will consult a racing surface expert on the condition of the dirt track, that “high toe grabs” on hind shoes will be eliminated; that a “breaking bar” used at the starting gate to aid horses in gaining footing at the start will no longer be used, and that the track will confer with veterinary officials with the University of California-Davis regarding back injuries.

The recent fatalities began March 12 when the Thoroughbred mare Ballet Royalty collapsed after finishing last of five in a restricted $2,500 claimer at 4 1/2 furlongs. Her death was classified as a “sudden death” case, according to the racing board, and will result in a post-morten examination.

A similar examination was conducted by the racing board after the death of 2021 Kentucky Derby first-place finisher Medina Spirit in a workout at Santa Anita in December. The racing board later reported that staff at UC-Davis and the racing board were unable to determine a cause for Medina Spirit’s death.

The three other recent fatalities at Los Alamitos were caused by musculoskeletal injuries sustained by Quarter Horses.

Fastidious was pulled up in a maiden special weight race at 300 yards last Saturday with an apparent back injury. Stolen Lives was injured while galloping out after finishing last of seven in the Moonist Stakes on Sunday. The unraced 3-year-old See You at Front sustained an injury while training Wednesday.

Stolen Lives and See You at Front had lower-leg injuries, the racing board said.

In its statement, the racing board said that the elimination of the breaking bar and some toe grabs on hind shoes may reduce leg injuries.

Through Wednesday, there have been nine fatalities this year at tracks or training centers under the jurisdiction of the racing board. Los Alamitos has had four fatalities, while Golden Gate Fields and Santa Anita have had two each. One was recorded at the San Luis Rey Downs training center.

Los Alamitos came under racing board scrutiny in July 2020 after a series of racing fatalities during its evening meeting in the spring and early summer of that year. At the time, the racing board had placed the track’s racing’s license on probation for the fatalities.

The track enacted several safety-oriented procedures, including additional pre-race inspections and significant changes in permitted medications. The board voted to approve the safety changes, allowing racing to continue.