LOS ANGELES -- Gov. Gavin Newsom is supporting a state Senate bill that would give the California Horse Racing Board authority to quickly suspend a meet license to protect the health and safety of horses or riders.
The announcement Thursday comes amid deaths of 26 horses at Santa Anita since Dec. 26.
[Ads /]
Newsom says in a statement that the horse fatalities are unacceptable.
The legislation by Sen. Bill Dodd would allow the board to immediately suspend a license without the usual legal notice of at least 10 days.
[Ads /]
The track has instituted various reforms due to the deaths, which have involved injuries during training or racing resulting in euthanasia.
Santa Anita's current meet ends June 23. On Nov. 1-2, it will host the Breeders' Cup, the biggest two-day event in U.S. horse racing.
(AP Photo/Amanda Lee Myers)