HISA's report on the Churchill Downs breakdowns was released today. They weren't able to identify any common link among the fatalities, nor identify anything about the track surface. Here's TDN's article with a summary:
"And the creation of a Blue-Ribbon Committee to work toward the study and ultimate introduction of more synthetic surface options in Thoroughbred racing. Synthetic surfaces are statistically safer than both dirt and turf tracks."
Yes, let's have more studies and let's let PETA gain momentum and sooner or later the game will be over. Sheesh.