ARCADIA, Calif. — A horse broke down after completing a workout at Santa Anita and was euthanized, marking the 11th fatality at the track since late December.
M C Hamster, a 4-year-old filly, suffered a fractured left front ankle after a three-furlong workout on the main dirt track Wednesday. It was just the second day training has been allowed since April 6 because of rain.
The track in Arcadia has been closed for racing since March 27 by order of the Los Angeles County Public Health Department as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. However, horses are allowed to train.
Trained by Ryan Hanson, M C Hamster finished fifth in her final race on Feb. 24 at Turf Paradise in Phoenix. She moved to Santa Anita, where she worked out on March 30 and again Wednesday. M C Hamster had three wins in eight career starts and earnings of $36,730.
M C Hamster is the fourth horse to die on the main track since Dec. 26. Four others died on the turf course and three on the training track.
A string of horse deaths at the track last year caused controversy and led to sweeping changes involving medication and safety.