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.
