[1/2] May 5, 2023; Louisville, KY, USA; The field for the 149th Running of the Kentucky Oak makes their way past the grandstands at Churchill Downs on May 5, 2023. Mandatory Credit: Michael Clevenger and Christopher Granger-USA TODAY SportsJune 1 (Reuters) - Churchill Downs Racetrack unveiled a number of safety initiatives and precautionary measures on Thursday following a recent series of horse deaths at the home of the Kentucky Derby. In addition, the number of starts per horse during a rolling eight-week period will be restricted to four. At the summit, the Churchill Downs, Kentucky Horse Racing Commission and HISA veterinary teams reviewed all veterinary information available in the hope of better understanding the events surrounding the recent fatalities. Since the Churchill Downs stable reopened for training on March 30, there have been 12 equine fatalities at Churchill Downs, which the racetrack previously described as a "highly unusual statistic."

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Persons: Michael Clevenger, Christopher Granger, Downs, Frank Pingue, Ken Ferris Organizations: Kentucky Oak, USA, Kentucky Derby, Safety Authority, Churchill Downs , Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, Churchill, racing's Triple Crown, Thomson Locations: Louisville , KY, USA, Kentucky, Churchill Downs, Churchill, Churchill Downs ,, Toronto