Churchill Downs racing resumes in September with safety changes / Photo: © GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/File
-
School roof collapse kills teacher, 27 children in NW Pakistan
-
Pope has 'good night' in hospital: Vatican
-
Haze turns Indonesia skies orange, shuts schools in East Timor
-
China's economy seen missing target as global shocks bite: AFP poll
-
California puts first US billionaire tax to the vote
-
Costa Rica opens jail inspired by El Salvador mega-prison
-
School headscarf ban meets resistance in Austria
-
Same-sex couple takes fight for equality to Slovakian court
-
World's top cocoa producer aims for a climate-tough bean
-
'High hopes' as Indonesian women get a football league, again
-
Why is Shell facing lawsuits over climate disasters in Brazil and the Philippines?
-
'Expectations high' for Bordeaux-Begles' Champions Cup hat-trick bid, says Depoortere
-
New four-lane bridge opens between China, North Korea
-
Rennie urges All Blacks to stay focused against 'hurting' Wallabies
-
Tech stocks lead rout after US inflation fuels rate hike bets
-
Palmeiras beat Fluminense 2-1 in Libertadores semi-final first leg
-
'No time to recover': UNDP chief sounds alarm on growing poverty after Iran war shock
-
Brewers blasts leave Dodgers on brink
-
Australia says won't let big tech have 'unfettered' access to kids
-
Tech stock lead rout after US inflation fuels rate hike bets
-
Mobile clinics battle Mongolia's childhood dental 'disaster'
-
Al-Fayed survivors say UK police missing 'bigger picture'
-
Wallabies back Meredith as playmaker for second New Zealand Test
-
Online 'witch hunt' sweeps up Asians misidentified as US rape accused
-
Messi's Inter Miami book playoffs with 2-0 win over New York City
-
Prospect of Bolsonaro win looms large over Brazil's Indigenous
-
Oil-rich Alberta tests Canada's unity with secession vote
-
Freed from Belarus, founder of Lady Gaga's biggest fan site tells his story
-
EU leaders head for showdown over bloc budget
-
Behind AI's carbon footprint, a potential climate tool
-
All Blacks make three changes for second Wallabies Test
-
Trump's new press secretary faces scrutiny over credentials
-
Mourinho blasts 'shameless' timing of Vinicius ban decision
-
PSG 'got lucky' to win Man City thriller, says Luis Enrique
-
PSG beat Man City in Champions League thriller, Barcola hits Liverpool hat-trick
-
Real Madrid comeback stuns Roma as Mourinho enjoys happy reunion
-
US Treasury chief urges stronger IMF role against 'distortionary policies'
-
Shakhtar make winning start at new Champions League 'home'
-
Giant-killers Bodo sink Dortmund in Champions League
-
Hat-trick hero Barcola primed to shine for Liverpool: Iraola
-
PSG outgun embattled Man City in six-goal Champions League thriller
-
Villa put six past Fenerbahce in record rout
-
In Chicago, pope's hometown, Catholics express shock and support
-
US stocks fall after hot inflation report as leading AI shares tumble
-
Musk suggests US govt behind any slowdown in Ukraine's Starshield system
-
Government buildings torched in violent Albanian protests
-
Chiclayo prays for recovery and return of the 'Peruvian pope'
-
Wall Street grills Bank of America over money laundering fine
-
Barcola scores hat-trick as Liverpool hit LASK for six
-
Mekies extends contract as Red Bull team principal until 2031
Churchill Downs racing resumes in September with safety changes
Horse racing will resume in September at Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby, the racetrack said Monday, after safety changes following the deaths of 12 horses within a month and a major investigation.
Churchill Downs Incorporated said that live racing will resume at the Louisville track with the scheduled September 14 meet.
"We are excited to resume live racing again at Churchill Downs,"said chief executive officer Bill Carstanjen.
"Our commitment to safety remains paramount as we enter this September meet and our participants, fans and the public can be assured that we will continue to investigate, evaluate and improve upon every policy and protocol."
Racing operations were shut down at Churchill Downs from June 7 through July 3 after a dozen horses perished for various reasons around the time of May's Kentucky Derby, the traditional first jewel in US flat racing's Triple Crown.
Moving the final month of the schedule to Ellis Park in Henderson, Kentucky, allowed time for a comprehensive investigation into safety issues at Churchill Downs.
The internal review of safety protocols prompted the track to implement several enhancements to better ensure equine safety, and sparked upgrades to improve the racing surface.
"Analysis by multiple leading industry experts found no issues with the racing surfaces," the track's statement said.
"However, to further maximize surface oversight and consistency, the racetrack has invested in additional new surface maintenance equipment and committed to doubling the frequency of surface testing."
Additional equipment will also be added for the veterinary team to provide extra monitoring and oversight as well as specialized care for horses, and to assist in pre-race inspections and entry screening.
Churchill Downs will continue to work with industry experts, using the latest data and advanced analytic techniques, to better predict at-risk horses.
Also, a new safety committee will be set up to "candidly discuss concerns and observations to constantly provide real time feedback."
The September meet runs through October 1 while a Fall meet runs from October 29 through November 26.
C.Kovalenko--BTB