Gimme Da Lute euthanized after breaking leg post-surgery

DEL MAR, Calif. – Gimme Da Lute, a 3-year-old multiple stakes winner trained by Bob Baffert, was euthanized this week after he fractured a hind leg coming out of surgery, Baffert said Friday.

Gimme Da Lute worked a half-mile in 46.40 seconds Tuesday at Santa Anita, the best time of 35 works at the distance. Afterward, Baffert said he was “off” back at the barn, and X-rays showed a condylar fracture in a hind leg.

Surgery was performed Wednesday at Santa Anita, and two screws were inserted, but according to Baffert, Gimme Da Lute got up awkwardly after the procedure, twisted his leg, and broke it. He then had to be euthanized.

“It’s pretty tough,” said Baffert. “I’ve heard of it happening before, but it had never happened to one of mine.”

The most famous horse to be euthanized after fracturing a leg coming out of surgery was the great filly Ruffian, who was seriously injured in a match race against Foolish Pleasure at Belmont Park in 1975.

Gimme Da Lute won six times in nine starts and had won his last four starts, all stakes, including the Grade 2 Los Alamitos Derby in June. His most recent start was Aug. 29, when he won the El Cajon Stakes at Del Mar. He had been training for the $100,000 Cary Grant Stakes for California-breds on Nov. 22 at Del Mar.

Gimme Da Lute, a son of Midnight Lute, was bred and owned by Mike Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman.