A Tornado in Oklahoma Leaves Three Horses Dead and Others Injured at Will Rogers Downs: News Report
Over the weekend, Oklahoma's Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs faced a devastating tornado that led to the death of three horses and injuries to other animals on the premises, as reported by Horse Racing Nation. The number of affected horses initially estimated to be around five has now sought veterinary treatment at Oklahoma State University.
Colleen Davidson, a woman with a stable at Will Rogers Downs, recounted her experience during the tornado. "I woke up late, and the glass was shattering all around my house, I couldn't get out," she said. "I just prayed to God and hope he saved me since this wasn't going to be great." She and her husband owned 11 horses, one of which died on Sunday following a broken neck.
The remaining 100 horses were relocated to Fair Meadows in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Saving Lives and Damage Assessment
Danielle Barber, the executive director of the Thoroughbred Racing Association of Oklahoma, expressed relief as she said, "I'm very thankful. It could've been a lot worse." Travis Noland, the communications director for Cherokee Nation Entertainment, which owns the track, added that while ten out of their 14 barns suffered severe damage, the rest faced minor damage. The grandstand experienced considerable damage as well.
The tornado hit when approximately two hundred or more horses were present at the racetrack, which can house around 640 animals.
Casino Property Damage
The casino building sustained damage to its exterior due to the tornado's heavy winds, rendering it powerless and without water supply as of early this week. No information on the restoration of power has been revealed. The RV park and RVs within the property were also damaged in the storm.
It was a bustling night at the casino and the RV park when the storm hit, causing no severe injuries, according to KTUL. Noland said they relocated people to shelters before the storm hit, prioritizing the life and safety of the guests.
A fundraising initiative was started to support the horses, and numerous volunteers contributed their help to those in need.
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Source: www.casino.org
