Why this is a pivotal year for Del Mar/Saratoga fatalities. Mostly Del Mar

[Andy Asaro]

The “most significant” trend connecting the horses that died last year is that five of the 17 had gaps in training of 60 days or more prior to their fatal injury, he said.

(Though one of the 17 horses, it should be noted, died as a result of a freak accident.)

This trend tallies with broader state-wide findings from recent years. From 314 fatalities (among Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds where the horse had at least one start) in California over the past three years, 86 had training or racing gaps of at least 60 days. And, of those 86 horses, 45 had gaps of more than 120 days in racing, in training or both prior to their fatal injury.

Of those 314 horses described above that experienced a 120-day or more layoff, 36 percent had been on the vet’s list at some point in their career.

Excerpt:

https://www.thoroughbredracing.com/articles/equine-fatalities-why-pivotal-year-del-mar-and-saratoga/

[Andy Asaro]

Big Daniel Ross Fan. He gets to the point.

[anotherCAfan]

Someone made an astute observation on the Paulick Report about the Del Mar fatalities:

Right before the Del Mar summer meet is the San Diego County Fair. During the Fair, vehicles can drive on to the track.

Do the vehicles harm the track surface, to the extent that it increases fatalities? I am beginning to think so.

[Andy Asaro]

Someone made an astute observation on the Paulick Report about the Del Mar fatalities:

Right before the Del Mar summer meet is the San Diego County Fair. During the Fair, vehicles can drive on to the track.

Do the vehicles harm the track surface, to the extent that it increases fatalities? I am beginning to think so.

They dug it up and are increasing the banking on the turns to 5% (pretty sure) and that should help IMO. The surface could be a little different. IMO the tides greatly affect the base. Hopefully it will be a much safer year for both Del Mar and Saratoga. And I hope we all win a bunch of $$$$$$$

[burnsy]

Two things increase the chance of injury in any athlete. Being out of shape (extended lay off) or exhaustion (fatigue). A horse returning to training can experience both as can any human being. The problem is if a horse breaks down, breaks a leg or twists an "ankle" (ligaments or tendons) that can be the end of a career or maybe a life. We can wrap or cast that crap with crutches, a horse can not. That stat does not surprise me at all.