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Breeders' Cup to add to safety measures at Santa Anita

Officials say there will be 14 vets on-site during Breeders' Cup week and 20 on hand during the two days of racing.

Credit: AP

FILE - In this Oct. 30, 2013 file photo, an exercise rider takes a horse for a workout at Santa Anita Park with palm trees and the San Gabriel Mountains as a backdrop in Arcadia, Calif. A person with direct knowledge of the situation says a 21st horse has died at Santa Anita. The person spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity Tuesday, March 5, 2019, because the fatality has not been announced publicly. A total of 21 horses have died since the race track's winter meet began on Dec. 26. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)

LOS ANGELES (AP) - The Breeders' Cup will increase the number of veterinarians on site during its world championships this fall at Santa Anita, where 30 horses died during the racing meet that recently concluded.

That's according to Craig Fravel, president and chief executive of the Breeders' Cup. He says reaction to the board of directors' decision to keep the two-day event at the historic Southern California track has been "very supportive."

Santa Anita will host for a record 10th time on Nov. 1-2.

Fravel says that besides the 14 vets on-site during Breeders' Cup week, there will be 20 on hand during the two days of racing.

The event will be run under the house rules adopted by track owner The Stronach Group to improve safety. Those include a reduction in the use of race-day Lasix, an anti-bleeding medication.

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