Saturday afternoon, Emtech, a 3-year-old colt, was euthanized on the track after the eighth race on Sept. 28 at Santa Anita Park. After breaking down on the track, Emtech was evaluated immediately by a team of on-track veterinarians, led by Santa Anita Park veterinarian Dr. Dana Stead. Dr. Stead observed that Emtech had two broken front forelimbs and made the decision to euthanize the horse.
Two-time Kentucky Derby-winning jockey Mario Gutierrez was tossed off in the incident on the second day of the fall meet at Santa Anita.
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“As is protocol at Santa Anita, we will open an immediate review into what factors could have contributed to Emtech’s injury,” said Dr. Dionne Benson, chief veterinarian for The Stronach Group. “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 will undergo a necropsy at the University of California – Davis’ School of Veterinary Medicine, as is mandatory for all on-track accidents. The accident and the necropsy report will be reviewed by a team to learn what, if anything, could have been done to have prevented the accident.”
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In a press release released to the public, The Stronach Group explained, “There is an expected level of safety and accountability that is required to participate at a Stronach Group racetrack. If anything less is found which could have contributed to this incident, it will be addressed immediately. Santa Anita and The Stronach Group remain committed to leading transformative change in this traditional sport.”
