Key takeaways:
- Havnameltdown, a 3-year-old colt trained by Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, was euthanized at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore.
- The horse was bumped by the No. 2 horse and threw jockey Luis Saez off his back during the sixth race.
- The incident is yet another black eye for the beleaguered sport of horse racing, and the industry will continue to strive for transparency and accountability.
At Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, a horse trained by Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert was euthanized on the undercard of Saturday’s Preakness Stakes. The 3-year-old colt, Havnameltdown, was a 4-5 favorite in the $200,000 Grade IIII Chick Lang Stakes.
Breaking out of inside stall, Havnameltdown was bumped by the No. 2 horse and eventual winner Ryvit, causing him to briefly veer toward the rail. The horse then buckled forward and threw jockey Luis Saez off his back during the sixth race, and continued running around the final turn in some distress.
Chief veterinary officer Dr. Dionne Benson and others examined the horse and determined the injury to his left front leg was inoperable. The decision was made to euthanize Havnameltdown. Saez was conscious and taken to Sinai Hospital for evaluation, complaining of leg pain.
Bob Baffert commented on the incident, saying, “Havnameltdown was obviously hit pretty hard coming out of the gate.” 1/ST Racing, which owns and operates the track, released a statement saying, “We don’t know if that contributed to the injury, but we will be fully transparent.”
The incident is yet another black eye for the beleaguered sport of horse racing. The safety of horses and jockeys is of utmost importance, and the industry will continue to strive for transparency and accountability.
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