Racing returns to Churchill Downs for Fall Meet months after horse deaths shut down track

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Twelve horse deaths sent shockwaves through the racing industry, and even shut down Churchill Downs this spring.

While racing was suspended, the track was investigated and the Horseracing and Safety Integrity Authority took a closer look at each death.

This week, we learned that HISA could find "no casual relationship between the racetrack at Churchill Downs and the equine fatalities."

Two days after the report was released, racing returned to the historic track for the start of the September meet on Thursday night.

Longtime racing fans flocked to the track.

"I've been betting these horses for 65 years," Robert Metcalf said. "And when I get broke, I know where to go. I just go home."

"My dad trained horses, so ever since I was 10 years old, I've been coming around race horses," Bill Mitchell said.

Mitchell has his eyes on the track and also on some football games coming up while sitting at Churchill's newly-opened sports book.

For the first time, a day at the races can include a wager on a different sport.

"This is something that Churchill should've done a long time ago," Mitchell said. "Everybody has their opinion, and their thoughts, and their philosophies, it's still a matter of luck."

No matter the odds, every race is unpredictable.

In the spring, several ended with an ambulance on the track. Racing shut down at Churchill in June for an internal safety review, and HISA did not find a clear pattern in the deaths.

"It's been the same track since I've been a kid. So I don't think there's anything wrong with it," Metcalf said.

While HISA's report concludes Churchill had a safe racing surface, they will continue to study the introduction of more synthetic tracks. 

HISA will also continue to improve data collection and reporting to try and reduce horse deaths.