Nine horses have died at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, in less than a month, including Swanson Lake, a three-year-old filly who was euthanized after suffering a "significant" injury to her left hind leg during a $120,000 race.
This brings the total number of horse deaths at the iconic racetrack to nine since April 27, with seven horses dying in a ten-day period. Wild on Ice, who was scheduled to compete in the Kentucky Derby on May 6, was among the horses who died. The 149th Kentucky Derby was won by Mage, a chestnut colt from Kentucky.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Senior Vice President Kathy Guillermo has criticized Churchill Downs, stating that "Churchill Downs is a killing field" and suggesting that "they should play 'Taps' at the Derby instead of 'My Old Kentucky Home.'" Meanwhile, Bob Baffert, a notable racehorse trainer, returned from suspension after one of his horses tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs.
However, Baffert's horse named Havnameltdown suffered a "non-operable left fore fetlock" injury during Saturday's Preakness Stakes undercard at the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland, and was euthanized on the track following the devastating injury. The Washington Post previously reported that at least 74 horses have died in Bafferts care since 2000.
Despite the tragedy, Baffert's horse named National Treasure won the Preakness Stakes on Saturday, marking Baffert's 17th Triple Crown win and eighth at the Preakness. "We had a horrible race and we've just been really totally wiped out after that horse got hurt," Baffert said after the race. "It's been a very emotional day."
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