Article: Owners Uneasy After 17 Fatal Breakdowns at Arlington
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Owners Uneasy After 17 Fatal Breakdowns at Arlington
http://sports.iwon.com/news/07042006/v5856.html
Jul 4, 2:44 PM (ET) Email this Story
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. (AP) - Some owners may pull their thoroughbreds from Arlington Park Racecourse following the fatal breakdowns of two more horses. Seventeen horses have been euthanized this season.
With two months left in the season, the total destroyed has surpassed last year's 12 deaths. The latest occurred last weekend when Bernel Trail and I Love Lisa were put down.
Track officials last week brought in consultant Joe King to examine the turn leading into the dirt oval's homestretch, where nearly all the breakdowns have occurred. He declared it safe, but owners remain uneasy.
Earl J. Trostrud Jr. already has lost a thoroughbred at Arlington this season - Angelic Morgan L. was destroyed after being hurt in a June 17 race. Trostrud is wary about running the four horses he has left at the racecourse.
"I'm very seriously thinking about not racing," he said.
Illinois regulatory officials have suggested the breakdowns could be linked to a thoroughbred shortage in the state, prompting some owners and trainers to over-race horses.
Former Gov. Jim Edgar suspects the oval is the cause. A gelding he owns, Jake's Fever, was destroyed after a June 23 race, and another of his horses, 3-year-old San Cart, developed a swollen knee during a race Thursday and is probably finished racing. Edgar said his horses have been returning sore from runs.
"I think there's something wrong, and I don't think it's the owners' and trainers' greediness," Edgar said.
Derrick Miller said he'll hold out his filly Savy's Delite for the rest of the Arlington season unless the track performs a "major reconstruction or admits something is wrong" in the wake of the death of Bernel Trail. He was the co-owner of the horse, who injured his front left ankle.
Other owners said they support the track's efforts to prevent injuries and will keep racing there.
"I trust Arlington more than any other track," said Robert Neumeyer, whose gelding Gully Washer broke down in a May 7 race after a bad step. "I know they were out there for three days looking over that section. They would never chintz on anything."
