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Churchill Downs, the racetrack famous for hosting the Kentucky Derby, has announced they will suspend racing operations for the remainder of the 2023 Spring Meet. Twelve racehorses have lost their lives at the track within the past six weeks.

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA), a federally mandated regulatory body is dedicated to ensuring the welfare of racehorses. 

HISA has already launched an investigation into these fatalities.

While live racing will proceed as scheduled on June 3 and 4, the track will shut down to accommodate the investigators.

The Spring Meet, originally scheduled to run until July 3, will now be relocated to Ellis Park. 

The races that were planned for Wednesday through Friday have been canceled, and Ellis Park will take over the remainder of the meet starting on June 10.

During the period when races are relocated to Ellis Park, the conditions and purse money for the races will remain the same as they would have been at Churchill Downs. And trainers and jockeys will receive a stipend to cover any additional costs they may incur. 

7 Racehorses died after injuries 

Churchill Downs' decision to suspend racing activities stems from the need to conduct a comprehensive review of safety and surface protocols. The recent fatalities have left officials searching for answers since there is no common cause or pattern to the deaths.

Three-year-old gelding Chloe's Dream, a three-year-old gelding, got hurt in the second race on Kentucky Derby day. And a three-year-old colt, named Freezing Point, was euthanized, after pulling up in the Pat Day Mile Stakes.

Five other racehorses were euthanized after training and racing incidents at the track in the days leading up to the Derby.

Investigators have yet to determine the cause of death of two horses trained by Saffie Joseph Jr. In an abundance of caution, he was indefinitely suspended by the track pending further investigation.

 In a statement, Churchill Downs Inc. CEO Bill Carstanjen expressed his deep concern and asserted the company's commitment to protecting the horses.

'What has happened at our track is deeply upsetting and absolutely unacceptable,' Carstanjen’s statement said. 

'We need to take more time to conduct a top-to-bottom review of all of the details and circumstances so that we can further strengthen our surface, safety, and integrity protocols,” he added.

During the period when races are relocated to Ellis Park, the conditions and purse money for the races will remain the same as they would have been at Churchill Downs. And trainers and jockeys will receive a stipend to cover any additional costs they may incur. 

The decision to suspend racing at Churchill Downs follows an emergency summit organized by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority, the track, and the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.

The authority had previously hinted at the possibility of recommending a pause in the meeting. And Churchill Downs willingly accepted the recommendation.

HISA 

 Both Churchill Downs and the authority had independently announced additional safety and health measures before the summit.

The HISA announced that it will send track superintendent Dennis Moore for a second independent analysis of the training and surfaces. 

HISA equine safety and welfare director Jennifer Durenberger will provide additional veterinary expertise and oversight of all the racehorses at Churchill Downs.

The Authority praised Churchill Downs' efforts to minimize the risk of equine fatalities and emphasized its commitment to the well-being of the horses. 

They also announced that an equine forensics specialist would conduct a thorough review of all necropsies performed on the affected horses.

The investigation is ongoing.