Juvenile colt euthanized after injury in morning gallop

ARCADIA, Calif. – An unraced 2-year-old that sustained a shoulder injury during a routine gallop Wednesday morning at Santa Anita was later euthanized at Chino Valley Equine Hospital.

Derby River, a colt sired by Violence and trained by Ruben Gomez, was vanned off the Santa Anita main track about 8:30 a.m. Wednesday. The colt was transferred later to Chino Valley. Gomez said the colt was euthanized early Thursday.

In a prepared statement, the California Horse Racing Board said “surgeons at Chino Valley determined that surgery was not an option and euthanized the horse.” The CHRB statement further included: “The Board regrets the loss of any horse. We are committed to working with the entire California horse racing industry in the protection of horses and riders.”

Derby River was owned by Gary Folgner. He was purchased for $50,000 in March at a 2-year-old in training sale in Florida and recorded three timed workouts during May at Santa Anita, including his most recent work May 31, three furlongs in 39.40 seconds.

Gomez, 43, was crestfallen. “I get so attached to my horses, because I ride my horses, they are part of my family,” he said in a Thursday phone call. Gomez was galloping a different horse Wednesday when Derby River was pulled up at the eighth pole.

According to Gomez, Derby River was a stocky colt. He said shoulder injuries such as the one sustained by Derby River are more common in 2-year-olds than older horses.

Santa Anita closed for most of March while the track surface was inspected and safety protocols were implemented following a spate of fatalities in January and February. The new protocols included medication reform and extensive pre-race examination on the day of the race. Santa Anita recently required that entries be accompanied by a signed document from a veterinarian that states the horse is sound to race.

For more than six weeks after Santa Anita reopened, from April 1 through May 16, there were no fatalities. The incident this week with Derby River was the fourth fatality in the past three weeks.

A necropsy is required for all horses euthanized on the grounds. According to the CHRB, a necropsy will be done on Derby River even though he was euthanized at Chino Valley.

Derby River was euthanized early Thursday. Later in the morning, track officials declined comment. Aidan Butler, chief strategy officer for The Stronach Group, told Daily Racing Form at 10 a.m. Thursday “We are trying to gather information. You are welcome to contact the CHRB.”