Report: Training fatality at Santa Anita Park ends 46-day run

A 46-day run without an equine fatality as a result of racing or training -- one that transformed Santa Anita Park from the nation's most-dangerous track to one of its safest -- ended Friday.

According to Art Wilson, reporting for the Southern California News Group, Commander Coil suffered a shoulder injury during morning training and had to be euthanized. Marcelo Polanco trained the unraced 3-year-old gelding for Jose Romero.

It was the 24th equine fatality at Santa Anita since the track's winter meet began Dec. 26 -- but the first since March 31, and only the second since a number of new safety measures were put in place amidst a temporary halt to racing and training earlier that month.

A statement released to Wilson by The Stronach Group, which operates Santa Anita, said more than 80,000 gallops were safely concluded over the main track before Commander Coil's injury.

"Equine shoulder injuries are rare, especially for a horse that is galloping as opposed to breezing or racing," the statement added.

An evaluation will be done to determine the cause of the "uncommon injury."

The other breakdown that occurred since racing resumed was an unusual one as well, with Arms Runner, a 5-year-old gelding, taking a bad step over the dirt crossing separating the downhill turf course from the grass oval.

Earlier this week, Horse Racing Nation detailed Santa Anita's recent safety record.

Following a wet winter in Southern California, "I think it’s clear that an inordinate amount of rain in a very short period of time created multiple challenges," said Mike Willman, Santa Anita's director of publicity.

Doug O'Neill, the current spring meet's leading trainer, added that, "I think the majority of people feel really good that we’ve turned the corner and that good, safe racing is here stay."