LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — Nearly three weeks into the 2023 Keeneland Spring Meet and the reports of racing incidents continue to increase. Two horses were taken off the track Sunday due to concerns for health and safety.
Sunday's call is the fifth straight day of racing incidents, according to Keeneland's daily incident report.
A spokesperson for Keeneland sent LEX 18 a response to the incidents:
Keeneland is committed to integrity and transparency and is one of the only tracks in the country that maintains an online safety tracker. We share every on-track incident and continue to provide updates (most of which are positive) as they are available. Our equine medical team operates with an abundance of caution in caring for our equine and human athletes. Keeneland’s conservative approach to safety leads to reporting more incidents - small or large. This could be a courtesy ride back to the barn when a horse is overheated or a jockey hopping off the horse because something just instinctively “felt off." We report these incidents to provide the public with the utmost transparency.
On April 19, Foreign Relations and Master of the Ring clipped heels, unseating jockey Tyler Gaffalione and causing Master of the Ring to go down, according to the incident report. A vet team determined Master of the Ring suffered an injury they’ve called catastrophic in nature.
The 5-year-old gelding had to be euthanized due to the injuries.
The following day, the horse Pearse was given a courtesy ride to the barn after the race.
On April 21, two racing incidents appeared on Keeneland’s daily report. After crossing the wire, Green Up experienced exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage. Green Up’s prognosis is considered good.
Included in the incident report, the state veterinarian observed the horse Reckoning Force off in the left front leg, prompting the horse to be transported to the barn by equine ambulance. KHRC veterinarians' diagnosis confirmed a mild lameness, but say the prognosis is favorable.
Devious Stares was pulled from the race out of an abundance of caution Saturday. An evaluation found the horse to have lacerations in her right foreleg and lameness in two of her legs.
The horse Cowichan was transported back to the barn Sunday after the race due to mild lameness. Additionally, Jubilant Joanie flipped in the gate before the race. Lacerations were later found on her shoulder and legs, along with a poll injury on the top of her head.
Keeneland’s spring meet concludes Friday, April 28.
