Churchill Downs criticism mounts after euthanizing more horses ahead of Kentucky Derby: ‘It has to stop’

[ad_1]

The week leading up to the Kentucky Derby was marred by five deaths at Churchill Downs, and the news only worsened on Derby day.

Two other horses were euthanized after sustaining injuries in the opening races on Saturday. Chloe’s Dream was taken by ambulance after an awkward step and later euthanized, while Freezing Point suffered a leg injury in the Pat Day Mile and was also later confirmed euthanized.

Churchill Downs announced on Wednesday that he was investigating the series of deaths and called them “completely unacceptable”.

MORE: Why horses are dying at Churchill Downs during Kentucky Derby week

While two horses mysteriously collapsed, leading to trainer Saffie Joseph Jr.’s suspension, five have now died from injuries. The death of Chloe’s Dream and Freezing Point after injuries sustained on the iconic Churchill Downs track has sparked a firestorm of criticism over conditions in Louisville.

PETA, a longtime opponent of Churchill Downs, also chimed in, calling the historic location a “killing field”.

While horse racing carries obvious risks, deaths at Churchill Downs have come under scrutiny in recent years. The Courier-Journal reported in 2019 that Churchill Downs’ death rate in 2018 was the second highest among 25 tracks that reported such information.

With seven in the Kentucky Derby week alone this year, those reviews aren’t going away anytime soon.

[ad_2]