Report: Vets missed chances involving Breeders’ Cup fatality

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (AP) — A report on the death of Mongolian Groom in the Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita says veterinarians missed opportunities to remove the gelding from the $6 million race because of time constraints or deficiencies in the process used to evaluate horses. In the 20-page report issued Wednesday, Dr. Larry Bramlage identified six suggested improvements aimed at refining safety and evaluation protocols for future events. Mongolian Groom fractured his left hind leg during last year’s Classic and was euthanized. Bramlage was hired by the Breeders’ Cup board to evaluate what led to the 4-year-old gelding’s death.