Future of horse racing in California discussed at tension-filled meeting
LA TimesThe starting gate is moved after a race at Santa Anita Park on April 6. The agenda of the May meeting of the California Horse Racing Board was generally filled with routine procedural matters, leaving center stage to the heightened, and at times, hyperbolic rhetoric over what should be the future of horse racing in California. Eleven of the people, including several self-proclaimed animal rights activists, made emotional appeals to end horse racing in the state, citing the 25 deaths that have occurred at Santa Anita since Dec. 26. Another flashpoint in the discussion came when a speaker referred to Madeline Auerbach, CHRB vice-chair, as “unforgivingly ignorant.” Several of the animal rights’ speakers mentioned California’s alleged complicity in allowing “horse slaughter” or selling horses for meat after their careers were over. The anti-horse racing speakers offered no evidence of current horse brokering in California, only citing historical information and saying that it exists.
History of this topic
Attempt to revive horse racing in Northern California ends, affecting the sport around the state
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Grim predictions with California horse racing at a crossroads
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California horse racing is at a crossroads. Can it survive?
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Investigation into horse deaths at Santa Anita finds no unlawful conduct
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Special Report: Horse deaths at Santa Anita may have implications for entire racing industry
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Another horse fatality at Santa Anita; 24 thoroughbreds have died since Dec. 26
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Rise of horse deaths at Santa Anita to be investigated by district attorney
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