May 7 (UPI) -- Two horses suffered fatal injuries on Saturday's Kentucky Derby undercard at Churchill Downs, bringing to seven the total of equine deaths at the track leading up its biggest race of the year.
Track officials, expressing "the utmost sadness" over the deaths, said there has been no obvious pattern to the fatalities, which occurred on dirt and turf surfaces, during training, during races and shortly after races.
"Our track surfaces are closely monitored by industry experts to ensure their integrity," Churchill Downs Inc. said in a statement unattributed to any individual.
"Each horse that participates in racing at Churchill Downs must undergo multiple, comprehensive veterinarian exams and observations to ensure their fitness to race."
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