April 29th, 2025 by WCBC Radio

Horseracing’s Triple Crown begins this Saturday at the Kentucky Derby but concern remains for the health and safety of the thoroughbred horses.  Kathy Guillermo, Senior Vice President at PETA, told WCBC that 2023 in particular was brutal for horse racing.

   

“IN the weeks surrounding the Triple Crown races, quite a few of them at Churchill Downs and then one terrible, catastrophic injury at Saratoga. It was quite a big issue at that point when people realized these horses just aren't running because they like it – they may actually die if they do it.”

Guillermo said some progress has been made.

  

“There is now a federal oversight body that is trying to clean up the medication and the abuse problem. But basically, we’re still seeing horses dying on the track.”

The abuse and overuse of drugs in the horse racing industry remains a concern, according to PETA.