LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A sixth horse was euthanized in the run-up to Saturday’s Kentucky Derby, officials said.
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Chloe’s Dream, a 3-year-old gelding, was withdrawn from Saturday’s second race at Churchill Downs with a right front knee injury, the Louisville Courier Journal reported
The incident occurred hours before the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby at the famous track.
LATEST: Chloe’s Dream, a 3-year-old who ran on the Derby bill, is the sixth horse to die at Churchill Downs in recent days. https://t.co/pIDzQTASHg
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Jockey Corey Lanerie was rounding the first turn 23 seconds into the race when Chloe’s Dream stopped, according to the paper.
The horse was removed in an equine ambulance, trainer Jeff Hiles confirmed The Associated Press.
“He took a bad step out there,” Hiles said. “They could do the same running on the field as on the track. So it’s very unfortunate. That’s what we’re all about.”
“Chloe’s Dream suffered an injury from which she could not recover and was euthanized for humane reasons,” Churchill Downs said in a statement. “He will be transported to the University of Kentucky Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory for a complete necropsy.”
The death of Chloe’s Dream comes after five other horses died over a nine-day period, the Journal of the messenger reported One died in the paddock area, one during a race on the grass track, two after the grass races and one after a morning practice on the dirt track.
Two of them were coached by Saffie Joseph Jr., who was suspended by the track, according to reports The Associated Press. Joseph’s Derby entry Lord Miles was deleted from Saturday’s race.
Take over Briana, a 3-year-old filly, suffered a “catastrophic” injury Tuesday while participating in the fifth race on the turf at Churchill Downs. She had to be sacrificed, WHAS-TV reported Chasing Artiea 5-year-old gelding who was trained by Joseph, collapsed after the eighth race and died.
Wild on Ice was euthanized nine days ago, they said WDRB-TV.
