Races Canceled This Weekend At Laurel Park After Horse Deaths

LAUREL, MD — The Maryland Jockey Club announced Thursday that races this weekend at Laurel Park are canceled "as work continues to complete repairs to the track and to analyze recent equine injuries."

As The Baltimore Sun reported, eight horses have suffered fatal injuries on the track in October and November. Seven of those fatal injuries were in November, Thoroughbred Daily News reported.

The Maryland Jockey Club and Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association "are working with industry experts to analyze surface composition and maintenance procedures directed at the safest possible racing surface,"the MJC said in a news release.

According to Thoroughbred Daily News, Laurel Park completed an emergency overhaul of the main racing track earlier this year. This week, track officials dug up a portion of the track to try and find an explanation for the injuries, TDN reported.

"Until now, and through collaborative measures among industry participants, Maryland racing has experienced the lowest fatality rate in its history," the MJC said. "The safety, health and welfare of equine athletes is the primary responsibility of all stakeholders in Maryland and must be taken seriously. The Maryland racing industry remains laser focused on this problem and collectively pledges to do whatever is necessary to ensure that Maryland’s historic racing industry remains world-class."