Several horses have died at Churchill Downs as Kentucky Derby nears
Over the past week at Churchill Downs, two horses have been euthanized and two others have died from unknown causes just days before the Kentucky Derby is set to take place.
Three-year-old Wild on Ice, one of the horses slated to participate in the Derby, was put down after breaking his leg during a workout last week. Take Charge Briana was put down after a turf race on Tuesday. Two other horses, Parents Pride and Chasing Artie, collapsed during races.
Although the organizers at Churchill Downs are investigating these deaths, Saffie Joseph Jr., who owned Parents Pride and Chasing Artie, expressed concerns about letting another horse, Lord Miles, compete on Saturday.
Joseph told the Associated Press (via the New York Post):
“When you don’t know something, that’s when it worries you the most. Something is wrong. A lot of thoughts run through your head, but you can drive yourself insane. But I’m very uneasy right now. It’s not something I would wish on anybody.”
This adds another chapter to the long, sordid history of deaths at the track. It was only two years ago when Medina Spirit died during a workout two months after winning the Kentucky Derby but getting disqualified for testing positive for a banned substance.
Throughout 2019, 30 horses died at Santa Anita in Southern California, leading to widespread investigations and changes to safety requirements.
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