Another Horse Euthanized At Santa Anita Park -- 34 Have Died Since December

ARCADIA (CBSLA) -- A 3-year-old gelding was euthanized at Santa Anita Park Saturday -- the 34th horse to die there since December 2018.

Satchel Paige, named for the legendary baseball Hall-of-Famer, suffered an injury to his left leg during the fifth race, officials said.

Jockey Ruben Fuentes was not injured.

Mike Marten, spokesman for the California Horse Racing Board, confirmed to City News Service that the horse was euthanized.

The track -- and the sport in general -- has been under extreme scrutiny since the rash of deaths at Santa Anita started garnering more media attention this year than in seasons past.

Racing at Santa Anita Park was halted for most of March while examinations were conducted on the track.

Animal rights activists have also held a steady stream of protests outside the park demanding an end to horse racing.

Saturday evening, the Stronach Group issued the following statement:

"Satchel Paige, a three-year-old gelding, was humanely euthanized after the fifth race on Saturday, October 19th at Santa Anita Park. After being pulled up at the 3/8th pole, Satchel Paige was immediately evaluated by a team of on-track veterinarians, led by Santa Anita Park veterinarian Dr. Dana Stead, and transported in the equine ambulance. Dr. Stead observed that the horse had suffered an open fracture of his left front ankle and made the decision to humanely euthanize the gelding."

Stronach Group is a real estate and entertainment company that owns and manages race tracks in North America as well as one in Austria.