By Galen Patterson
On the morning of Sept. 28 the gates of Santa Anita were steeped in turmoil. Protesters attempted to raise support both for and against horse racing.
One side wanted to stop horse racing at Santa Anita due to animal cruelty, while the other side wanted to defend Santa Anita based on the recent additions and practices toward animal health.
The anti-racing side held a graphic sign depicting a nearly severed ankle of a racing horse. Another listed the horse fatalities at Santa Anita by racing season since 2009.
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The pro-racing side held a sign that implored passers-by to honk if they loved horse racing.
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For a period of time, the protesters started a shouting match and occasionally taunted each other from opposite sides of the road.
The protests followed on the morning after the first day of the Autumn Meet at Santa Anita.
More on this story to follow.
