Rafael Berjarano suffered multiple facial fractures after being thrown off
his horse, Mi Rey, on Opening Day at Del Mar on Wednesday. (AP Photo)
It was two years ago that the Polytrack synthetic surface was installed at the Del Mar Racetrack to reduce the amount of injuries sustained to horses during the racing season.
And as Del Mar’s 70th year of holding its midsummer races began Wednesday, another horse was euthanized and last year’s leading jockey sidelined for the rest of the season.
In what was the second fatal injury a horse suffered in four days at Del Mar, Mi Rey was laid down after fracturing his right front leg during the third race of the day Wednesday.
Mad for Plaid, the first horse to be euthanized this season, fractured a bone Sunday, during a training exercise.
Mi Rey’s jockey, Rafael Bejarano, was thrown off of the horse’s back when the horse fractured its leg.
Berjarano suffered multiple facial fractures and had to have his jaw wired shut, according to the Union-Tribune. Berjarano will miss the rest of the Del Mar season after taking home 45 victories last year.
The Polytrack surface which was installed for the 2007 season was installed to reduce the number of injuries horses suffered on the track.
Since the surface was put in at Del Mar, deaths at the famed racetrack have tapered.
There were just six deaths in 2007 and eight deaths in 2008 at Del Mar after the racetrack saw no fewer than 13 deaths per year since the start of 2001.
- 2001: 17
- 2002: 17
- 2003: 13
- 2004: 22
- 2005: 17
- 2006: 19
- 2007: 6
- 2008: 8
- 2009: 2
For more info: Visit our Horse Racing Examiner, Robin Bush. For more on the Del Mar racing season, visit the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club website here. Follow me on Twitter.
Comments
I went to the race today-my very first race and I see a horse get killed on the track behind the green screens. Horrible I will never go to a race again! How can people support the sport when a poor animal gets injured and has to die. Also, some ppl there didn't even care about the horse or the jockey (i feel awful for him I hope he recovers soon) But poor horse. I still can't believe they do that.
This was my first race too and it was hard to not cry after seeing that! I had to leave because I was so upset. I agree with Alisha, no one even seemed to give a crap that a horse just had to be put to sleep bc of a stupid race and so people could bet and make money off them. People dont realize what these poor horses go throw. I didnt realize what really happened to them until today and I will never go to another race and I hope others will soon see what really happens at horse races.
With all the money the track makes they are not doing enough to make it safe. We don't allow bull fighting because it's cruel, to kill an animal. How is this different? It won't stop till people stop going to the races.
Horses love to run.
Yea Kevin they like to run and be free NOT COMPETE! Would you like to run a track with 130 pounds on your back and then you fall and they kill you? They could easily have fixed the fracture WITHOUT killing the horse-sure it wont be able to COMPETE again but it can run or be a ranch horse (a more comfortable life)-Im sure the horse would like that better. I see it as being killed for no reason. People can save a life but instead they murder. I agree with Carl-it wont stop until people stop going.
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