play it again sports

Arlington: Is It A Thoroughbred Killer?
By Julie Smith

Two more thoroughbred horses died during Arlington's second race on Sunday. This unfortunate event increased the number of horses that died this season from running at Arlington to at least 26. Many others have also been sidelined or retired due to running-related difficulties experienced at the harassed northwest suburban plant. All the deaths occurred because of injuries suffered on the dirt surface.

Both horses, number 3 Our Memento and number 9 Big Attlet had to be euthanized because they suffered terrible leg fractures. They will now undergo necropsy examination to establish the cause of their injuries.

These deaths took place just 10 days after a second outside consultant retained by the Illinois Racing Board declared the dirt surface safe.

Last season, during the track's full four-month run, only eight horses were put to sleep because of injuries suffered in the dirt surface. Four more deceases happened due to damages endured by the horses in the Arlington turf course. This season started

three and a half months ago and there are still three and a half weeks to go. Arlington is previewed to conclude on Sept. 12.

After 20 horses died amid May 1 and June 30 at Arlington's race track a consultant was brought to examine the dirt surface, pine-bark shavings were added to the dirt mix to make the track softer for the horses. This slowed down the death rate and the running times of the thoroughbreds.

Last Sunday's accidents occurred late in the running of the second race a 61/2-furlong sprint for $4,000 claimers.

Big Attlet who was the 9-5 post-time favorite atop the field of 10 was the first one to go, breaking a leg while trying to move with the leaders late in the turn. Shortly close to eighth pole, Our Memento suffered his injury in front of the grandstand.