Horse dies at Santa Anita race track, a day after opening for fall season

Three-year-old colt dies at Santa Anita race track

The death of a three-year-old horse marks the 32nd horse death since December 2018.

ARCADIA, Calif. - A horse has died after racing at the Santa Anita Park Saturday afternoon. The park opened a day before for its 23-day autumn racing meet.

Emtech, a three-year-old colt, was euthanized on the track after the eighth race.

A statement from the Stronach Group says Emtech was evaluated immediately after breaking down on the track.

Santa Anita Park veterinarian Dr. Dana Stead observed that Emtech had two broken front forelimbs and made the decision to humanely euthanize the horse, the statement read.

Jockey Mario Gutierrez was not injured during the incident.

“As is protocol at Santa Anita, we will open an immediate review into what factors could have contributed to Emtech’s injury,” Dr. Dionne Benson, Chief Veterinarian for The Stronach Group said.

“Santa Anita will work closely with the California Horse Racing Board and will continue to brief our stakeholders and all of our constituents, including the public, as more facts come in.”

Emtech is now the 32nd horse to die at the race track since late December.

Following the death of Emtech, PETA sent out a statement which reads: