Santa Anita checking if rules followed before horse's death

The owner of Santa Anita is investigating whether new rules were followed before the 26th horse death at the Southern California racetrack.

Kochees, a 9-year-old gelding, was euthanized Sunday after injuring his left front leg in a race a day earlier. It was the third horse death in nine days and the 26th overall since the season began Dec. 26.

The Stronach Group spokesman Stefan Friedman told The Associated Press the track's owner is looking into whether protocols were followed leading up to the gelding being euthanized.

He said “if those rules weren’t followed, consequences will be swift.”

Among the rules put in place since March, a trainer's veterinarian must sign off on a horse's fitness before the track's veterinarian also takes a look at the animal ahead of its training or racing.