Horse euthanized after breaking down in race at Santa Anita

A horse broke down in the last race at Santa Anita and was euthanized in the track's first death of the winter-spring meet. Golden Birthday took a bad step in the stretch and jockey Victor Espinoza fell off while trying to pull up the 4-year-old gelding. Espinoza wasn't hurt. Veterinarians recommended that Golden Birthday be euthanized, although it wasn't immediately clear what his injury was. Two days before the meet began last Saturday a horse broke its leg on the training track and was euthanized. A total of 37 horses died at the track last year.