Lets Light the Way 21st Equine Fatality at Santa Anita

Lets Light the Way was euthanized after she sustained a catastrophic injury March 5 during training on the main track at Santa Anita Park.

The 4-year-old Dunkirk filly trained by Hall of Famer Ron McAnally is the 21st equine fatality related to racing or training at Santa Anita since its meet opened Dec. 26. The filly was owned by McAnally's wife Deborah McAnally and had a win from four starts since she began her racing career in November of 2017. On the main track Tuesday, 169 horses logged timed workouts.

McAnally said after morning training he feels the abnormally high amount of rain that has hit Southern California this winter is at the root of the rise in equine fatalities at the Arcadia, Calif., track.

"My opinion is the problem is with the bad weather," McAnally said. "You can see on the news—some of the ground is separating and houses are falling off cliffs, almost like an earthquake.

"Weather is the cause of all of this. I loved that filly. I bought her at the sale—liked the way she walked. I feel as bad as anybody, but that's the first I had (this meet). I wanted to cry when we had to put her down."

Tim Ritvo—the chief operating officer of The Stronach Group, which owns Santa Anita—was not available for comment as of noon PT Tuesday, but at 1:32 p.m. PT Santa Anita sent out a press release announcing the return of trackman Dennis Moore, who served as Santa Anita's track superintendent until Dec. 31, as a consultant. The press release said Moore will be "on-site (Thursday) afternoon as (a) precautionary measure with regard to the condition of the one-mile main track." 



Andy LaRocco is Santa Anita's current track superintendent. He was promoted following Moore's departure after serving five years as Moore's chief assistant.

Multiple graded winner Vyjack was also vanned off the main track during training Tuesday, but is doing relatively well, according to trainer Phil D'Amato. 

"He took a couple of funny steps right before being fully stopped," D'Amato said. "Out of an abundance of precaution the rider jumped off. (Vyjack) was taken back to the barn (and) he sprung his shoe in the process. We took the shoe off and are soaking the foot. He'll be evaluated in the days to come, but is very comfortable."

During a two-day pause of training on the main track Feb. 26-27 to analyze and evaluate the safety of the surface, Mick Peterson, the director of Ag Equine Programs at the University of Kentucky and a racetrack surfaces specialist whom Santa Anita brought in as a consultant, said he didn't see any evidence of an issue with the track during his multiple days of study last week. 

Peterson did, however, indicate he was "working on the assumption" that there was a potential issue with "segregation" of the material on the main track. When it rains, the finer material of the top cushion level of the racetrack "moves to the inside rail with the water as it's washing across the surface," Peterson said.

Rain is expected to hit Southern California again Tuesday night and continue through March 6. Forecasts estimate a half-inch of rain could fall Wednesday. The expected storm, according to a media release from Santa Anita, caused the track to cancel its March 7 racing card. Santa Anita is scheduled to resume racing with an 11-race card March 8.

Of the nine fatalities from training since the meet started, one was classified as a "sudden death" by the CHRB, meaning it was not related to a musculoskeletal injury. The other eight were from injuries sustained on the main track, and none were associated with injuries on the training track, which sits between the turf course and the infield. Racing fatalities have occurred on both the main track (seven) and on the turf course (five).

When asked for comment, the CHRB issued a statement that included its intent to discuss Santa Anita's equine fatalities during its regularly scheduled monthly meeting March 21 at Golden Gate Fields.

"The CHRB grants a racing association a license to conduct a race meet, so the decision to train or race during that meet rests with the racing association (in this case Santa Anita) unless the Board follows statutorily required procedures for placing any additional conditions on a license," the statement from CHRB spokesman Mike Marten said. "The board has been in contact with Santa Anita on an ongoing basis as they have tried to deal with this situation. The board is now examining other options to prevent additional fatalities. Chairman (Chuck) Winner has asked that the matter be placed on the agenda for the board's March 21 meeting.

"The (CHRB) conducts an investigation for any horse that dies within a CHRB-licensed facility, as will be the case with the fatality this morning. ... This includes a necropsy and can take several months. The results are thoroughly reviewed and can involve interviews with the trainer and attending veterinarian. The official veterinarian and safety steward have been heavily involved in this process from the beginning. Chairman Chuck Winner, vice chair Madeline Auerbach, and senior CHRB staff also have been fully engaged since the onset."