Racing fatalities under investigation

The Los Angeles County District Attorney has formed a task force to investigate a series of horse fatalities at Santa Anita in recent months, according to a statement released Tuesday.

The announcement of the investigation comes days before legislation is scheduled to be introduced by State Senator Bill Dodd (Napa) and Assemblyman Adam Gray (Merced) that will give the California Horse Racing Board the authority to suspend racing “if dangerous conditions exist.”

District Attorney Jackie Lacey said in a one-paragraph statement that the task force will consist of deputy district attorneys and peace officers “with varied expertise within my office who will thoroughly investigate and evaluate the evidence to determine whether unlawful conduct or conditions affected the welfare and safety of horses at Santa Anita.”

There have been 23 fatalities at Santa Anita since late December, though only one in the last month.

An oversight hearing on racing safety in Sacramento is scheduled for an undetermined date in May, according to a recent statement issued by Dodd’s office. The hearing will include testimony from racing participants and regulators to inform legislators of safety measures enacted following the deaths and provide insight into future plans for safety, the statement said.

Dodd and Gray met with racing board chairman Chuck Winner recently to discuss racing safety.

“It’s clear that state regulators need the power to act swiftly and decisively when exigent safety concerns arise,” Dodd said in a statement.

In the statement, Gray said racing must improve its safety record “and must be willing to accept and adopt forward-thinking solutions to address long-standing issues and debates.”

“This hearing,” the statement said, “will give the committees and opportunity to conduct a thorough review of the industry’s safety track record, and highlight new and potentially necessary reforms to improve safe racing conditions.”

The proposed legislation, Senate Bill 469, would allow racing board commissioners to convene an emergency meeting to consider temporary closure of a track “when a situation emerges requiring prompt action,” according to a statement.

Currently, the racing board must provide a 10-day notice to conduct a meeting to discuss such an issue.

The legislation is scheduled to be read at a committee meeting on Tuesday. If approved, the legislation is months from being implemented.

Last month, Santa Anita canceled 13 days of racing after a series of fatalities in late February and early March. The main track underwent an inspection and renovation in early March before training and later racing resumed.

Since racing resumed on March 29, a series of tougher medication protocols have been enacted by the racetrack.