Dance With Fate euthanized following serious injury
DEL MAR, Calif. - Dance With Fate, the winner of the Grade 1 Blue Grass Stakes in April, was euthanized on Thursday morning after suffering a severe stifle injury during a training accident at Del Mar earlier that morning, trainer Peter Eurton announced on his Twitter feed.
“Words can’t express what we’re feeling right now,” Eurton wrote. “With an extremely heavy heart, we report Dance With Fate was unable to survive his injuries.”
Dance With Fate suffered ruptured ligaments in the accident, which occurred early during Thursday’s training hours. The colt reportedly struck the outside rail while galloping, sustaining the injury. Eurton consulted with noted veterinarian Wayne McIlwraith on potential treatments before Dance With Fate was euthanized.
Eurton said he was in his barn and did not witness the incident. He was told that Dance With Fate’s bridle came off and that the horse was loose when stricken. Exercise rider Joe Duran was hospitalized and was undergoing a precautionary MRI at a local hospital, Eurton said.
Dance With Fate was entered for Saturday’s $200,000 San Diego Handicap, where he was considered a leading candidate. A 3-year-old, Dance With Fate won 3 of 9 starts and earned $680,050 for Sharon Alesia, Bran Jam Stable, and Ciaglia Racing.
Dance With Fate finished sixth in the Kentucky Derby on May 3 in his last start. He was entered for the Belmont Derby in New York on July 5, but did not start after suffering a mild bout of colic the preceding day.