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A scene from HBO's "Luck" (HBO)
HBO has announced this afternoon they have suspended "all future production" of their racetrack drama "Luck." The show has been under much scrutiny following the death of a third horse on the set.
Initially HBO said they were suspending production of scenes involving horses, as the American Humane Association announced they were launching an investigation into how the animals are handled in the production.
Much of the show is filmed in Arcadia, at Santa Anita Park.
Deadline has published the announcement from HBO:
It is with heartbreak that executive producers David Milch and Michael Mann together with HBO have decided to cease all future production on the series Luck. Safety is always of paramount concern. We maintained the highest safety standards throughout production, higher in fact than any protocols existing in horseracing anywhere with many fewer incidents than occur in racing or than befall horses normally in barns at night or pastures. While we maintained the highest safety standards possible, accidents unfortunately happen and it is impossible to guarantee they won’t in the future. Accordingly, we have reached this difficult decision.
We are immensely proud of this series, the writing, the acting, the filmmaking, the celebration of the culture of horses, and everyone involved in its creation.
Quote from Michael Mann and David Milch: “The two of us loved this series, loved the cast, crew and writers. This has been a tremendous collaboration and one that we plan to continue in the future.”
