While another racehorse death at Saratoga Race Course, in Saratoga Springs, New York, is under investigation, the New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC) is trying to determine what might have contributed to a dozen recent racing- and training-related horse deaths there.

According to NYSGC records, 12 horses have died after racing or training incidents since the 2017 Saratoga meet opened in July. The latest incident occurred Aug. 11, when the 5-year-old filly Sweeteneida was euthanized after sustaining a sesamoid bone fracture during a race. The death remains under investigation.

In a written statement, NYSGC Equine Medical Director Scott E. Palmer, VMD, Dipl. ABVP, said the investigations into each horse death involve a full necropsy and an Equine Safety Review Board review of every aspect of the horse and the race, including the horse’s training regimen, history, any medications it received, and previous health issues.

Track conditions are also included in the review, said racing and equestrian surfaces authority Mick Peterson, MS, PhD, director of University of Kentucky (UK) Ag Equine Programs and professor of biosystems and agricultural engineering at UK