Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Protesters Call for Horseracing Ban After 26th Horse Death At Santa Anita Park

Some protesters gathered Monday at Santa Anita Park calling for a halt to horseracing after the deaths of 26 thoroughbreds this season. Three died in the past two weeks. They want to see a ballot measure to end horseracing in California.
The number sounds like a lot -- 26 horse deaths at Santa Anita during racing or training since late December. But the pace of fatalities is actually on track to equal the 37 horses that died under similar circumstances last year. Another seven horses died at Santa Anita in 2018 due to conditions not directly tied to racing, according to the California Horse Racing Board Annual Report. Statewide, 99 horses died last year in training or racing.
That's why protester Heather Wilson says a coalition of animal welfare groups want a measure on the state ballot to ban horseracing.
"There is collective outrage on what is happening and now is the time to take advantage," Wilson said.
After a spate of deaths in February and March, the track was closed and when it reopened, the owner has pressed for reforms among horse owners and trainers.
They then went seven weeks with no horses dying, said Santa Anita Park spokesman Stefan Friedman.
"If you don't follow the rules here." Friedman said. "You're not gonna be here anymore."
Those reforms include better oversight of drugs given to horses, and diagnosing pre-existing injuries, he said.
Then two weeks ago, the streak of no deaths ended. The horse that died this weekend was the third death since then.
But some fans said they didn't understand the fuss, saying injuries and yes, even death, is part of the sport. As he waited to get into the Santa Anita parking lot on Memorial Day One, one racing fan who gave his first name as Peter said it was the protesters that left him outraged.
He said the focus should be on the 1,600 horses that safely race each year.
"If you walked 16-hundred people around here each day, how many people will walk up strained with a bad knee or a bad leg or a bad whatever," he said.

As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.

-
Children asked to waive right to see a judge in exchange for $2,500
-
There’s still a lot to be determined as the refinery, which supplies about one-fifth of Southern California's vehicle fuels, works to restore production and as data is collected.
-
The FCC voted to end E-Rate discounts for library hotspot lending and school bus Wi-Fi.
-
About half the Pacific Airshow’s 2025 lineup has been grounded because of the federal government shutdown.
-
USC says it’s reviewing the letter also sent to eight other prestigious schools nationwide. California's governor vowed that any California universities that sign will lose state funding.
-
Scientists say La Niña is likely, but that doesn’t necessarily mean a dry winter in Southern California.