Overview

• Practical Move, a top contender in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, died following a suspected cardiac event during a training session at Santa Anita Park.
• Santa Anita Park has a history of safety concerns, with 42 horse deaths reported in 2019, and an increasing number of fatalities in 2023.
• Belmont Stakes winner Arcangelo was withdrawn from the Breeders' Cup due to an unresolved foot issue, decreasing the number of competitors in the race.
• Practical Move's death contributes to an alarming number of horse fatalities plaguing the horse racing industry in 2023, raising questions about safety protocols and practices at major racetracks.
• Following recent fatalities, the Breeders' Cup organization pledged to strengthen safety measures for its human and equine athletes and continue efforts to improve the care surrounding every horse.