Horse racing at Santa Anita still draws fans and money, despite thoroughbred deaths

Another horse died at the Santa Anita race track in Arcadia over the weekend. A 9-year-old gelding named Kochees was put down after being injured during a race. It’s the 26th fatality at the racetrack since December 26, and the third in the past two weeks.

However, people still love Santa Anita, a holy ground for horse racing. Fans come during the early mornings to watch the thoroughbreds and jockeys train, including Kathy Sullivan.

Sullivan told KCRW that she appreciates the jockeys' artistry and skill.

Despite the deaths, she remains optimistic. "I am hopeful that people are collaborating together to be honest about what the issues are, and that working together we will all be better for it, and that horse racing will be better for it. Because if you don’t have that integrity, racing is going to collapse."

Why have so many horses died at the track?

Horses are typically injured during races. Some blame all the rain California has gotten recently, saying it's made the track too soft. But when a sealant was used to keep water off the track, some say it made the track too hard.

Others point to grueling racing practices, plus the overuse of medication and anti-inflammatories for the horses as race days approach.

Race spectator Bob Dawkins said, "What happens in every track -- horses break down. You have the frailest legs in the world. And they weigh a ton. But they don't know what's causing all the breakdowns. But every track has this problem."

Dawkins is right. Last year in New York state, 18 horses died at three tracks. The rate of deaths at Santa Anita, however, is unusual.

What have the owners of the track, the Stronach Group, done to reduce horse deaths?

Stronach is a family-owned entertainment and real estate company that owns tracks in California, Oregon, Florida, and Maryland. It also runs retirement homes for horses when they stop racing.

When it comes to protecting the horses at Santa Anita, the Stronach Company told KCRW that it's doing everything possible to ensure the safety of horses by limiting the use of drugs and monitoring training sessions. There’s a proposal to phase out the riding crop, which jockeys use to whip horses during races.

Earlier this year, Senator Dianne Feinstein called for the suspension of racing at Santa Anita until investigations into the horses' deaths were complete.

Animal rights activists have staged regular protests outside the track on race days. They want Santa Anita shut down, and some want all horse racing to end.