Santa Anita Park has announced it will be served by a team of equine veterinarians as it readies for its 23-day Autumn Meet opener this Friday, Sept. 27. Under the auspices of Dr. Dionne Benson, chief veterinary officer for The Stronach Group (TSG), a team of seven individuals (including Benson and Santa Anita’s primary track veterinarian, Dr. Dana Stead) will oversee every aspect of Santa Anita’s training and racing operation.
Dr. Benson’s team will be reviewing all horses that have given 48 hour notice to workout, on either the one mile main track or six furlong training track, as well as reviewing all horses that are entered to run in races.
Additionally, this team, which consists of Dr. Benson, Dr. Laurie Bohanan (Santa Anita senior veterinarian), Dr. April Mauro, Dr. Jay Deluhery and Dr. Fernanda Machada, will also be assisted by Dr. Stead (who will mark his 10-year anniversary at Santa Anita in October) and TSG veterinarian, Dr. Robert O’Neill.
In addition to reviewing past performance, workout patterns and veterinary records, this team will continue to observe horses as they go to and exit both the main track and training track each morning, as well as observe horses as they go through their daily routines, be it jogging, galloping or breezing.
All horses that are entered to run will be physically inspected at their respective barns and selected horses will be inspected as a part of the 48 hour workout review process.
For additional information on Santa Anita’s 2019 Autumn Meet, please visit santaanita.com or call (626) 574-RACE.
