DEL MAR, Calif. (KGTV) - A horse died Monday at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, the fourth death at the track since the start of the summer racing season in July.
“We are saddened to confirm that Bri Bri, an unraced three-year-old filly, was humanely euthanized today after suffering a serious injury to her pelvis during training,” the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club read in a statement. “We are deeply sorry for her and her human connections.”
Emergency personnel and track veterinarians responded to the emergency immediately, said DMTC officials.
Del Mar was among the nation’s safest racetracks last year, but experienced the deaths of two horses on the second day of the season. Charge A Bunch, trained by Carla Gaines, ran headfirst into Carson Valley, trained by Bob Baffert.
Another of Baffert’s horses, Bowl of Soul, had a fetlock injury and was euthanized less than two weeks later.
Bri Bri was trained by Jim Cassidy. Track officials said they will meet with him to discuss the matter.
“Del Mar has implemented a series of safety and welfare reforms over the last several racing seasons, including the creation of an independent five-member panel to review all entries. To date, there have been no fatal injuries during racing in the current summer meet,” said DMTC officials.
