For Immediate Release:
July 22, 2011
Contact:
Shakira Croce 202-483-7382
East Boston, Mass. -- In the wake of calls from whistleblowers reporting the deaths of two thoroughbreds who collapsed from heat stress at the Fairmount Park Racetrack in Collinsville, Ill., PETA is calling on officials at Suffolk Downs and in the 16 other locations now experiencing soaring temperatures to suspend races for the duration of the current heat advisory. Five tracks canceled their races on Thursday because of the heat wave, and three others have canceled some of their weekend races. Monmouth Park, Thistledown, and Penn National will not hold events today, and Parx Racing has suspended activity for Saturday. In a letter sent to Suffolk Downs, PETA points out that the current high temperatures in Boston put horses at risk of heatstroke, brain damage, and death.
"Horses are pushed to the limit every time they race, and the added physical stress caused by skyrocketing temperatures can have deadly consequences," says PETA Vice President Kathy Guillermo. "We urge Suffolk Downs officials to prevent tragedy and cancel races whenever Boston faces extreme heat."
For more information, please visit PETA.org.
PETA's letter to Suffolk Downs follows.
July 22, 2011
Dear Stewards:
I am writing on behalf of PETA and our 2 million supporters to ask you to take immediate action to protect horses during this heat wave. On Tuesday, July 19, two horses at Fairmount Park Racetrack in Collinsville, Ill., reportedly collapsed and died from heat stress. We urge you to prevent a similar tragedy by suspending racing at Suffolk Downs during the current heat advisory and any future advisories, as horses are at risk from heatstroke, brain damage, and death.
Prairie Meadows Racetrack in Iowa led the way with this lifesaving measure by canceling races on July 19.
Will you take action on this life-and-death matter without delay?
Thank you.
Best regards,
Kathy Guillermo