FRESNO, Calif (FOX26) — The California Horse Racing Board is investigating the death of a horse running in Sunday’s second race at the Fresno Fairgrounds.

Cry Me A Runner was holding its own in Sunday’s second race at the fairgrounds. As it made the turn for home, the number four horse wearing the yellow saddle cloth, dropped out of sight.

The horse was taken off the track by an equine ambulance. Track officials say it was euthanized. It’s the 9th horse to die this year while competing at a California race track.

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Martha Sullivan is a member of Kill Racing Not Horses. “We need to stop racing horses. It’s very clear that horse racing risks and takes horse’s lives and all it is is for gambling,” Sullivan said.

Sullivan believes repetitive high-speed exercise increases the chance of a horse being injured. According to the CHRB, 60 horses have died this year from racing and training injuries.

“Training deaths are just as significant as the racing deaths because they represent the high-speed exercise. So it’s just a part of the crapshoot so to speak when a horse’s limb is going to break,” Sullivan said.

The California horse racing industry is struggling to survive. In June, Golden Gate Fields in the Bay Area closed after 83 years. Bay Meadows and Hollywood Park bowed out years before.

She says state lawmakers should realize horse racing isn’t necessary anymore. “The casinos on tribal land and the lottery each bring in three times the wagering that horse racing in California brings in,” Sullivan said.

We reached out to the California Authority of Racing Fairs for comment on Sunday’s death of Cry Me A Runner in Fresno. We have yet to hear back.

Horse racing was expanded this year in Fresno due to the closing of Golden Gate Fields. It started the third weekend of September. Horse racing continues during the Fresno Fair.