Grade 3 winner Happy My Way euthanized at 5

Happy My Way, the champion Florida-bred sprinter and older male of 2014, has been euthanized after being injured in the West Virginia Legislature Chairman’s Cup at Mountaineer Park on Saturday.

Happy My Way finished fifth in the 4 1/2-furlong sprint. Trainer Joe Orseno said he came out of the race with a knee fracture. Happy My Way was sent to Hogan Equine in New Jersey to have surgery, but the injury could not be repaired.

“We were going to do whatever it took to save him,” Orseno said. “He was such a terrific horse. I’ve been crying for two days over this.”

Happy My Way, a 5-year-old gelding, originally raced for Mel Paikoff, but Sagamore Farm, owned by Under Armour chief executive Kevin Plank, bought a majority interest in the horse last year. In his first start for the partnership in May 2014, Happy My Way went wire to wire to win the Grade 3 Maryland Sprint Handicap at Pimlico on Preakness Day.

Last year, Happy My Way had three wins and three runner-up finishes in seven starts, earning $371,000. In addition to the Maryland Sprint, he won the Sir Shackleton Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

In all, Happy My Way won six of 23 starts and $559,000.