At Santa Anita Park in Southern California, a 9-year-old gelding named Kochees became the 26th fatality at the racetrack since Dec. 26, and the third in nine days. The fatalities have commanded the public’s attention during a bizarre, contentious Triple Crown season and have threatened to close down the sport in California. Dead horses, too many of them, have drawn a bull’s-eye around the sport’s existence. PETA and Social Compassion in Legislation are currently working with the Stronach Group and the California Horse Racing Board to enact new regulations and laws to stop all deaths. He appeared to injure his left leg, according to the Equibase chart caller, and was taken off the track by van.

Source: New York Times May 26, 2019 23:48 UTC