Tornado hits Will Rogers Downs; 1 horse dies, others are moved

One horse died after a tornado struck Will Rogers Downs in Claremore, Okla., on Saturday night, and horses who were stabled there were being moved Sunday to Fair Meadows in nearby Tulsa and other locations.

Danielle Barber, executive director of the Thoroughbred Racing Association of Oklahoma, said Sunday one horse had been euthanized. “But looking at that barn area, I’m very thankful. It could have been a lot worse,” she told Horse Racing Nation.

She didn’t know how many were injured.

Travis Noland, director of communications for Cherokee Nation Entertainment, which owns the track as well as the neighboring casino and RV campground, said all 14 barns on the backside had damage, and 10 had “significant” damage.

He said the roof of the grandstand also was damaged. This was verified in a Facebook video posted by trainer Stacey Capps.

Tulsa-based Green Country Arabian Horse Association, whose president Jessie Holland was at Will Rogers Downs on Sunday, reported on its Facebook page that “there are still 65 horses trapped in the barns (with) three missing and one dead horse so far.”

The tornado caused widespread damage in northeast Oklahoma, according to a statement from government leaders who reported downed trees, power lines and damage to homes and buildings. At least 23 people were injured in Claremore with three suffering life-threatening injuries, according to city manager John Feary.

“Significant, significant damage,” Feary told reporters Sunday afternoon. “Things and damage that change people’s lives forever.”

Trainer Tim Dixon was at Will Rogers on Sunday and told HRN, “Five or six barns are severely damaged, several horse trailers are blown away, and we’re having to get those horses off the track because of the water situation and power. No water, no power. Horses have got to have some fans, and they’ve got to have some water.

“So they’re evacuating them now to Fair Meadows,” he said, referring to the track about 30 miles to the southwest where a new meet will start June 5. “Tulsa’s letting them come on in early and bed down there. So that’s where we’re in the process now is moving horses from Claremore to Tulsa.”

Barber said she was told about 200 horses were at the track, noting that the Will Rogers meet ended May 15. “Thankfully, we didn’t have a whole barnful.”

“Definitely, by the looks of those barns, some of them are cut up, scraped up, beat up and got loose, and had to catch them and all that,” Dixon said. “It’s major. That track’ll be a long time getting back put together.”

The Oklahoma Large-Animal First Responders, led by Oklahoma City University veterinarian Dr. Clayton McCook, arrived at Fair Meadows on Sunday afternoon to examine and treat injured horses arriving from Will Rogers, according to a Facebook posts. At least five horses in bad shape were shipped 70 miles west to Oklahoma State University.

“We are currently triaging horses affected by the Claremore tornado, and the worst affected will be sent to the OSU veterinary medical hospital at Stillwater,” the OLAFR said in its post. “Why? Because they have not only excellent facilities and veterinarians but also run the OSU animal-relief fund, which covers treatment costs. If you want to and are able to assist, making a donation to that fund will assist greatly.”

Dixon said he had about 15 horses at Will Rogers after some already had been moved to Shreveport, La.

Capps, who raced a quarter horse Sunday at Remington Park in Oklahoma City, drove by Will Rogers Downs and shot videos that were posted to Facebook.