In a sad update from Los Alamitos, two more horses have tragically died, bringing the total number of horse deaths this year at the Cypress, California racetrack to 18. The latest deaths were of Lady Derby, a 6-year-old mare, and Give Me the Lute, an 8-year-old gelding. These deaths were reported after the races over the weekend, marking a concerning trend at the track. Let’s take a closer look at these events and their impact on the racing community.
Lady Derby’s Sudden Death After Friday’s Race
Lady Derby collapsed after finishing a race on Friday, December 6, 2024. The 6-year-old mare had finished in sixth or seventh place in all six of her career races before this tragic incident. After the race, she collapsed while cooling down, and her death was labeled as a “sudden death” by officials from the California Horse Racing Board.
Lady Derby had been racing in the seventh race of the day at Los Alamitos. According to the race chart, she had been bumped at the start, raced wide on the turns, and eventually tired out. After the race, she collapsed and died, which has raised concerns about the safety of horses in these events.
Give Me the Lute’s Euthanasia After Saturday’s Race
The following day, Saturday, December 7, 2024, saw another death at Los Alamitos when Give Me the Lute, an 8-year-old gelding, was seriously injured during his race. The injury led to the decision to euthanize the horse.
Give Me the Lute had a strong career, winning 11 of his 40 races, with his most recent victory coming in June 2024 at Santa Anita. However, during Saturday’s third race, Give Me the Lute pulled up while racing. He appeared to be injured after passing the nine-sixteenths pole, which led to him being stopped by the track’s equine ambulance. Sadly, despite efforts to save him, the decision was made to euthanize him due to the severity of his injury.
Impact on Los Alamitos and Horse Racing Safety
These two deaths are part of a growing concern about horse racing safety. So far, in 2024, 18 horses have died from injuries during races or training at Los Alamitos, which is a significant increase from the 13 deaths recorded in 2023. The deaths of Lady Derby and Give Me the Lute are raising alarms within the racing community, with many calling for stronger safety measures and better care for the horses.
A History of Concerns at Los Alamitos
The deaths at Los Alamitos are not the first to bring attention to the track’s safety record. In recent years, animal rights activists and racing fans alike have raised concerns about the conditions at the track and the number of horse deaths during races. While horse racing is a popular and historic sport, these kinds of incidents have sparked debates about the treatment of the animals involved and whether enough is being done to protect them from harm.
It is crucial for track officials and racing authorities to carefully review these incidents and continue to work on improving safety measures to prevent further tragedies. Ensuring the health and well-being of the horses is essential to maintaining the integrity of the sport and protecting the animals that participate in it.
The deaths of Lady Derby and Give Me the Lute highlight the urgent need for change in horse racing. As the number of fatalities continues to rise, the racing community must focus on improving safety protocols and providing better care for the horses involved. With more attention being paid to the welfare of these animals, it’s hoped that incidents like these will decrease, ensuring that future races are safer for both horses and jockeys.