Photos and Video by Terry Miller
On Friday, November 1, 2019, at 10:00am in front of Parking Gate #5 at Santa Anita Race Track, workers and horse racing supporters will held a counter press conference and celebration before the first race of the Breeder’s Cup.
At Gate 3, a handful of protesters gathered with signs saying that although they weren’t PETA, the women held signs with statistics of equine deaths at Santa Anita.
Heightened concern for the welfare and safety of race horses in California led to unprecedented reforms to ensure best practices at the famed race track. The California Horse Racing Board, the Stronach Group (owners of Santa Anita), California Thoroughbred Trainers, and Thoroughbred Owners of California, have all agreed on new protocols that set the highest horse safety standard of any track in the USA, which were enhanced still further following a recent statement by Governor Newsom.
“We support the implementation of these best practices to strengthen protections for the horses we love and that are under our care. These reforms will establish a new standard for the humane treatment of race horses and we have already seen a positive impact. We welcome them to protect our horses, our industry, our jobs and our lives,” stated trainer Kim Marrs.
Since the 1930’s, horse racing has provided hundreds of thousands of jobs to Californians who love their professions as grooms, stable attendants, watchmen, hot walkers, exercise riders, jockeys, assistant trainers and trainers. These “back stretch” workers are the invisible foundation of an industry that seeks to continue as an American institution that provides opportunities for so many employees to support their families.
