Animal rights advocates are scheduled to gather for a demonstration this Saturday evening at the Los Alamitos Race Course in Cypress, bringing renewed focus to concerns surrounding animal welfare at the local venue. The planned protest aims to draw public attention to the deaths of 13 racehorses at the track this year from injuries sustained during either racing or training activities.
This particular incident, which occurred during the second race on Saturday, October 17, involved a 2-year-old filly named Soo Bronx. The official race chart for the event detailed that the filly “was bumped early, bad step 5/16, pulled up, equine ambulanced,” indicating the severe nature of the injury suffered during the race. This tragic event pushed the total number of horse deaths from injuries suffered at the track in 2026 to 13. This includes twelve fatalities directly from racing incidents and one from training activities. Notably, a significant portion of these deaths, four in total, have occurred within the month of October alone.
The previous year, 2025, saw an even higher figure, with the track reporting 19 racing and training deaths, according to comprehensive data from the California Horse Racing Board.
The planned gathering is organized by activists affiliated with both the Los Angeles Animal Defense League and Orange County Animal Liberation. They intend to assemble directly in front of the Cypress track premises, with the protest slated to run from 6 to 8 p.m. Beyond the escalating number of horse fatalities, organizers have also expressed specific opposition to the track's decision to offer what they describe as “abusive pony rides at their annual Halloween carnival.”
Coinciding with the scheduled demonstration, Los Alamitos Race Course is proceeding with its annual Halloween Carnival on Saturday night, a separate event designed for community enjoyment. This family-friendly carnival is set to provide various attractions, including the aforementioned pony rides and an extensive selection of more than 25 games catered to children. A highlight of the evening will be a Halloween costume contest, which promises cash prizes distributed across seven distinct age divisions throughout the celebratory night. General admission for adults attending the carnival is $3, while access for children 17 years of age and under is provided free of charge.
Despite the impending protest and the issues raised by activist groups, officials from Los Alamitos Race Course did not offer a response when contacted for comment.
