Horse dies after work, becomes 13th death of meet

DEL MAR, Calif. – The comebacking 4-year-old gelding Unusualy collapsed after completing a five-furlong workout Monday and perished, becoming the 13th equine fatality this summer at Del Mar either racing or training.

Unusualy appeared to collapse from an internal issue. As with all fatalities at California tracks, a necropsy will be performed.

Of the 13 fatalities, seven have occurred in workouts – all on dirt – and six in races. Of the six in races, two were on turf, four on dirt. Most were because of catastrophic fractures that necessitated that the horse be euthanized, though Unusualy is at least the second horse who collapsed from an apparent internal problem, such as to the heart or lungs.

According to the California Horse Racing Board, nine horses perished during the summer season last year either racing or training.