Saturday’s Kentucky Derby was one to remember, as Mage edged out Two Phil’s and Angel of Empire to win the 149th race of the race.

However, in recent days, Churchill Downs has been the face of the controversy that constantly surrounds the sport.

Seven horses died at the track in the week leading up to the race, including potential Derby runner Wild on Ice and two other horses on Saturday’s Derby undercard.

PETA rang out on the race track and sports on Saturday.

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Mage, left, ridden by jockey Javier Castellano, takes the outside of turn four during the 149th race of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 6, 2023 in Louisville, Ky. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

«Churchill Downs is a killing field… They should play ‘Taps’ at the Derby instead of ‘My Old Kentucky Home,'» PETA Senior Vice President Kathy Guillermo said in a statement to Fox News Digital.

Churchill Downs Incorporated Suspended Coach Saffie Joseph Jr. indefinitely after two of his horses died in recent days at the track.

On top of that, five Thoroughbreds were eliminated from the big race, including the Favorite morning line forte, few hours before the race. It was the first time since 1936 that five horses had been eliminated from the Kentucky Derby.

“While PETA appreciates that the Kentucky State Veterinarian exercised caution in ruling out the Derby favorite, we called for the track to be closed so that more stringent protocols could be put in place. Churchill Downs should have listened,” PETA said.

View of Churchill Downs

Preview of the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 6, 2023 in Louisville, Ky. (Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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«This is part of the racing and it’s the cruel part,» Forte co-owner Mike Repole said in an interview with FanDuel TV.

This is not new to the sport in North America.

Medina Spirit crossed the finish line first in the 2021 Kentucky Derby, but was disqualified after failing a post-race drug test. Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, a two-time Triple Crown winner, was banned from Churchill Downs for two years because of it, but that wasn’t the end of the Medina Spirit controversy. The horse died that December.

More than 30 horses died in 2019 at the Santa Anita racetrack in California.

A general view before the 2023 Kentucky Derby

General view before the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 6, 2023 in Louisville, Ky. (Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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The second leg of the Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes, is scheduled for May 20 in Baltimore.

Associated Press contributed to this report.