Churchill Downs racing resumes in September with safety changes / Photo: JAMIE SQUIRE - GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/File
-
Shelton adds former Alcaraz coach Ferrero to team
-
Iraola instructs Liverpool players to dive after Arsenal penalty call
-
Lyon, Paris FC close in on PSG at top of Ligue 1
-
Lazio pull clear at Serie A summit as Gattuso warns of vertigo
-
Arsenal ride out Liverpool storm to top Premier League
-
Israel elections chief says inquiry into irregularities will not undermine result
-
Binance resumes withdrawals after more than $6 bn stolen in hack
-
Vacherot beats Lehecka to clinch Basel title
-
Almgren wins debut marathon in New York, Chepkirui wins women's race
-
Buzzy Holmes doc wins slow Halloween box office in N. America
-
Violence after Germany's 'Gen Z' demos slammed by politicians
-
Mbappe strikes after China controversy as Real Madrid beat Santander
-
Lazio pull clear at Serie A summit
-
Almgren makes triumphant marathon debut in New York
-
Trump's Republicans scramble to stop Democratic midterms wave
-
Chinese state TV fails to air Real Madrid match after Mbappe row
-
Imperious Alcaraz crushes dogged De Minaur in Vienna final
-
France launches 'attempted murder' probe after petrol bomb attacks on security forces
-
Five things to know about Poland's constitutional crisis
-
Bayern's Saibari sidelined after ankle surgery
-
Sailors blessed with good weather as Route du Rhum gets underway
-
France launches 'attempted murder' probe after petrol bomb attack on security forces
-
Yamaha pulls out of Qatar MotoGP over 'Middle East situation'
-
Tens of thousands protest in India's capital against voter roll revision
-
Longest truce of Ukraine war, in Kherson region, set to end
-
Irish European athletics champion Ciara Mageean dies aged 34
-
Luckless Lawson demoted to back of grid for Mexico City Grand Prix
-
Seifert blasts 93 as New Zealand win fifth India T20
-
Marquez wins in Malaysia to close in on MotoGP world title
-
Portuguese police clash with housing protesters, arrest 13
-
Thousands protest in India's capital against voter roll revision
-
Marquez wins in Malaysia to stand on brink of MotoGP world title
-
Marquez wins Malaysian MotoGP to move to brink of world title
-
Binance says resuming withdrawals after major hack
-
Shnaider beats Fernandez to win Tokyo title
-
Divided Bulgaria votes in tense presidential runoff
-
Winds of change: Laos looks up for renewables push
-
Trump says US looking 'closely' at report Nvidia CEO target of China spy plot
-
Sri Lanka's war widows and the long search for the missing
-
Maxey scores 38 to lead Sixers 'fighters' to another comeback win
-
'Air-con nation' Singapore eyes alternatives to cool down
-
Valkyries defeat Dream to capture first WNBA crown
-
US judge dismisses Trump lawsuit against Wall Street Journal over Epstein letter
-
'Seen and heard': Uruguay neighborhood places hopes in pope
-
Slave or not? US gallery shows early photos of African Americans
-
Spewing US election falsehoods, AI chatbots face scrutiny
-
France's Aymoz wins Skate Canada men's crown
-
EU's new levy on parcels kicks in
-
Pope Leo readies for 'intense' South America homecoming
-
Ocon denies reports of altercation after being dumped by Haas
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.
A.Mahlangu--AMWN
