34th Horse Succumbs to Injury Saturday at Santa Anita
Another horse was euthanized at Santa Anita Park on Saturday (Oct. 19), bringing to 34 the number to have perished at the southern California track since last December.
The Stronach Group track owners announced that 3-year-old gelding Satchel Paige had been “humanely euthanized” after the fifth race.
The latest death comes less than two weeks before the track hosts the high-profile Breeders’ Cup world championships.
In a statement, Stronach Group said the horse had been pulled up during the race and subsequently diagnosed with an open fracture of his left front ankle.
“Satchel Paige will undergo a necropsy … on behalf of the California Horse Racing Board, as is mandatory for all on-track accidents,” said Stronach Group chief veterinarian Dionne Benson.