Two horses — Chloe’s Dream and Freezing Point — were euthanized Saturday after suffering racing injuries at Churchill Downs, bringing this week’s total to seven.
— Two more horses died in races at Churchill Downs on Saturday — making it seven in all in recent days — and early Kentucky Derby favorite Forte was scratched with an injury in another series of blows to a sport already reeling from doping suspensions and breakdowns.
Chloe’s Dream, a 3-year-old gelding, and Freezing Point, a 3-year-old colt, were injured in their races on the Derby undercard, becoming the sixth and seventh horses to have died at Churchill Downs in recent days.
« It’s a very difficult subject to touch upon, » said Ramiro Restrepo, part of the ownership group for Kentucky Derby-winner Mage and a blood stock agent. « I’m sure there’s going to be some investigations done as to the reason behind that, and hopefully that provides a few more answers. »
In a statement issued Saturday night, Churchill Downs Incorporated said « there has been no discernable pattern detected in the injuries sustained. »
Chloe’s Dream suffered a fractured right front knee while leaving the first turn during Saturday’s second race, and Freezing Point pulled up inside the 6-furlong marker with a left ankle injury during the eighth race — the Pat Day Mile.
« We express our most sincere condolences to those connections who cared for and loved Chloe’s Dream and Freezing Point, » Churchill Downs’ statement said. « It is with the utmost sadness that we report these tragic fatal injuries. Churchill Downs is unwavering in our commitment to the health and well-being of equine safety. »
Chloe’s Dream was taken off in an equine ambulance with a right front knee injury and was euthanized, trainer Jeff Hiles confirmed to The Associated Press.
« He just took a bad step out there, » Hiles said. « They could do the same thing running in the field as they could on the track. So it’s very unfortunate. That’s what we deal with.
