The rain-delayed/coronavirus-interrupted 83rd Winter Meet at Santa Anita Park concludes today with a 12-race card, one day after a 4- year-old colt was euthanized.
Strictly Biz was at least the 16th horse to die in racing or training- related incidents at the track this season, including six during races, all on the turf course.
Strictly Biz fractured a right knee on the gallop out after finishing sixth in the field of eight in Saturday's sixth race and was transported to the Equine Hospital.
After diagnostics and x-rays were performed, it was determined to be an unrecoverable injury and, per recommendation from the attending veterinarian, was humanely euthanized, according to Santa Anita.
The start was the fourth of Strictly Biz's career. He won his debut on Sept. 7, 2018, at Los Alamitos Race Course, finished fourth in his lone start in 2019 and eighth May 15. Each of his final three races was at Santa Anita.
The meet's traditional Dec. 26 start was pushed back two days due to concerns about the rainy weather.
The Arcadia track was closed to the public and all but essential personnel March 12 as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, but racing continued. Racing was halted March 27 in accordance with orders from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
Racing resumed May 15 without fans present.
Protocols instituted include mandatory face masks and daily health screening including temperature checks and mandatory "social distancing" while on the property, increased sanitation procedures, the creation of a "restricted zone" housing jockeys, valets and other essential personnel who must have a negative COVID-19 test to access, and pre-race protocol to increase physical distancing.
