© Reuters. May 6, 2023; Louisville, Kentucky, USA; The view from the First Turn Club seats of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. May, 6, 2023. Mandatory credit: Matt Stone-USA TODAY Sports
(Reuters) – Mag won the 149th Kentucky Derby Churchill Downs (NASDAQ:) in Louisville, Kentucky, on Saturday to capture the first leg of the American Thoroughbred Triple Crown Race.
Seven deaths are being investigated by Louisville Raceway, which said it is working with regulators after imposing an indefinite suspension on Saffie Joseph Jr. , trainer of two dead horses, Parents Pride and Chasing Artie.
Two other horses died as a result of racing or training, including Derby participant Wild on Ice and three-year-old filly Briana, while Kings Code was euthanized due to injuries sustained after flipping several times in the ring.
Two other horses, Chloe Dream and Frizzing Point, were eliminated on Saturday after suffering injuries in the races leading up to the Kentucky Derby.
Animal rights group PETA said on Saturday it had urged Churchill Downs to close the track in order to implement stronger safety protocols given the number of deaths.
“While PETA appreciates that the Kentucky vet exercised caution by scratching a Derby favorite, we have called for the track to be closed until stronger protocols can be put in place,” Senior Vice President Kathy Guillermo said in a statement.
“Churchill Downs should have listened.”
(This story has been reworded to fix a typo in the title)
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