CHRB to discuss moving race dates from Santa Anita Park

On the same day California Sen. Dianne Feinstein wrote the California Horse Racing Board saying "racing at Santa Anita should be suspended until the cause or causes of these deaths can be fully investigated," the CHRB issued a meeting notice for April 12 to discuss possible relocation of dates from the Arcadia, Calif., track.

The Los Angeles Times first reported on Feinstein's CHRB letter, which came on the heels of a 23rd equine death Sunday since the meet began Dec. 26. She proposed "complete elimination of medications such as Lasix and the use of synthetic track surfaces" and asked the CHRB, "In your view, would these or other steps be reasonable measures to prevent horse injuries and death?"

Those are the same actions the People for Ethical Treatment of Animals have advocated for in recent days.

Last week, before racing resumed, the CHRB approved a new set of medication rules that ban a number of treatments as well as halved the amount of allowable race day Lasix. Horsemen have agreed to phase out the anti-bleeding medication wholly in California starting with 2020's crop of 2-year-olds. Also advanced, but not yet instituted, was whip reform.

The CHRB meeting will include public comment, with its notice sent 10 days out per law.

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert said earlier Tuesday when speaking to reporters on a national media teleconference that he has been assured there will be racing Saturday, when both the Santa Anita Derby (G1) and Santa Anita Handicap (G1) are carded.

“We want to make it as safe as possible for these horses,” Baffert said. “These horses — they’re not our livelihood. They’re our way of life. There’s lots of people back here who are employees.

“We have to make this work. I worry about the families. I have a lot of employees…They’re worried. Racing needs to do well. This last month has been a little stressful."

RELATED: Baffert says, 'We have to make this work'

Arms Runner, a 5-year-old gelding, lost his footing and suffered an injury requiring euthanization on Sunday at Santa Anita. He was running on the dirt crossover portion of the downhill turf course.

Brian Trump, racing manager for Arms Runner's owner, Rockingham Racing, called the incident "an unfortunate accident."

"The Santa Anita track has had to deal with record breaking rains this fall and have brought in expert after expert to provide the safest possible surface for these horses, and after speaking with other horsemen and jockeys we are confident that the track is safe," Trump said. "Furthermore, our team would never put a horse out there to race if we didn’t  feel that the track was safe and our horse was 100% healthy."

In the wake of that catastrophic injury, The Jockey Club reiterated its call for "comprehensive reform," in a statement saying, "horse fatalities are a nationwide problem that needs to be addressed on an industrywide basis." A white paper from North America's breed registry, "Vision 2025," outlines proposed changes including passage of the Horseracing Integrity Act which calls for a private, independent anti-doping and medication control program.

Last week, before Arms Runner's breakdown, Claiborne Farm's Walker Hancock published a tweet that illustrated the urgency of this situation.

"We can all debate whether we should validate and cave to PETA," Hancock said, "but one thing every one needs to keep in mind is it only takes ~600,000 signatures to get a measure on the ballot to eliminate horse racing in California and PETA has over 700,000 members living in the state."

PETA's direct involvement began March 14, in a public letter from Belinda Stronach, chairman of The Stronach Group, which owns and operates Santa Anita. Stronach put in writing intentions for a "zero tolerance" ban on race day medication.

"Organizations who advocate for animal welfare have also affirmed their support for these measures," Stronach wrote. "Kathy Guillermo, Senior Vice President for PETA said, 'PETA thanks Santa Anita for standing up to all those who have used any means to force injured or unfit horses to run. This is a historic moment for racing and PETA urges every track to recognize that the future is now and to follow suit.

"'This groundbreaking plan will not bring back the 22 horses who have died recently, but it will prevent the deaths of many more and will set a new standard for racing that means less suffering for Thoroughbreds.'"