California Senator Calls For Suspension Of Races At Santa Anita

U.S. Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-CA) has called for the suspension of Thoroughbred horse racing at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif., until an investigation has determined the “cause or causes” of 23 equine fatalities since the current winter meet began on Dec. 26. In an April 2 letter to California Horse Racing Board chairman Chuck Winner, Feinstein said, “The death of a single horse is a tragedy, but as a lifelong lover of horses, I'm appalled that almost two dozen horses have died in just four months.” Feinstein asked Winner for “more information about what the California Horse Racing Board is doing to both investigate this matter and address some of the concerns that these incidents have rightly raised.” While acknowledging recent measures approved by the CHRB to phase out race-day medication and “strictly limit the use of whips on horses,” Feinstein asked Winner whether the regulatory body is considering other actions, including the “complete elimination of medications such as Lasix and the use of synthetic track surfaces.” Feinstein cited federal legislation recently filed in the U.S. House of Representatives, the Horse Racing Integrity Act of 2019, that she said would “attempt to address some of the animal welfare concerns with horse racing” through the creation of a national oversight board...MORE