Whitetail deer keep ending up in the strangest places. Now it seems like they can’t stand and just watch horses race around the track without getting in on the action!
“A deer in the headlights” is a common expression, yet jockeys and racetrack officials are now worried about deer becoming a peril on the racing circuit. This Associated Press post from Grand View Outdoors shares the details.
Deer, not deuces, are wild at Presque Isle Downs and Casino, and the racetrack is making changes to get its horses back in the starting gate. Officials plan to resume racing on Wednesday after canceling some races Sunday and all the races Monday and Tuesday because deer were jumping onto the track and creating a dangerous situation.
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To help resolve the problem, the track planned to remove nearby bushes and trees in an attempt to keep the animals at bay. Also, officials planned to raise the fence around the track, and to start the program a few hours earlier, at 3:05 p.m. The time change is to avoid racing at dusk when deer become more active. A deer ran in front of horses during Sunday’s fourth race. Four later races were canceled that day. The track holds races Sunday through Thursday.
“We’re taking this very seriously,” said Jeff Favre, casino vice president and general manager. “The last thing we want is a jockey or horse to get hurt due to deer.” Sunday wasn’t the first time deer had interrupted a race, and jockeys said they were becoming concerned. Five deer interrupted a race June 22, prompting officials to cancel the final five races that day… [continued]
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Photo illustration (top): Grand View Outdoors
