The horses were were 2-year-olds competing in 400-yard trials for the Dec. 14 Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity: The winless filly B Ratifyed was hurt while finishing eighth in race 5. The winless gelding Backside Ace left the track in the equine ambulance after finishing third in race 7. The gelding Champions Run was pulled up early in the race 8 and left in the ambulance.

Since the California Horse Racing Board began reporting horse deaths at the start of 2020, this is the first time three horses have died from injuries during a single racing card at any of the state’s tracks. Two died on a single day or night four other times. Three were at Los Alamitos, one at Santa Anita.

Determining the specifics and likely causes of the injuries will be the object of postmortem examinations. Meanw

See Full Page