Global Courant 2023-05-21 01:14:08
A horse owned by Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert euthanized at Pimlico Race Course on the undercard of Saturday’s Preakness Stakes at Baltimore, giving the beleaguered sport another black eye.
Havnameltdown, a 4-5 favorite in the $200,000 Grade III Chick Lang Stakesbroke down and threw jockey Luis Saez at the top of the stretch.
“We’re just devastated,” Baffert said in a statement. This is a shock to everyone in our stable who loves and cares for these horses every day.”
Breaking out of the indoor stable, Havnameltdown was bumped by the No. 2 horse and eventual winner Ryvit, causing him to momentarily veer toward the rail.
“Havnameltdown obviously got hit pretty hard coming out of the gate,” added Baffert. “We don’t know if that contributed to the injury, but we will be completely transparent with those reviewing this terrible accident. At this point, our thoughts are with Luis Saez and we hope he will be okay.”
Hanvameltdown’s injury was catastrophic and nothing could be done for him, according to on-duty track vet Scott Hay. The horse was put down while still on the track.
“Unfortunately, Havnameltdown suffered an injury to his left front ankle that was so severe there was nothing they could do for him and he had to be humanely euthanized.” Hay told NBC Sports.
“The extent of the injury was so severe that it was probably in the horse’s best interest to simply euthanize at the time rather than try to load him onto an ambulance.”
A jockey rides Havnameltdown ahead of the Saudi Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Feb. 23. Francois Nel/Getty Images file
The colt’s euthanasia comes in the wake of a string of horse deaths leading up to the Kentucky Derby earlier this month at Churchill Downs.
Eight horses died in just over a week on Louisville’s famed golf course, sparking concerns about how the sport treats its animals.
This is an evolving story. Check back later for updates.
The Associated Press contributed.
