Lavender Road euthanized as result of neck injury

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Lavender Road, the filly who suffered injuries after hitting her head against a rail at Saratoga on Wednesday, had to be euthanized Thursday afternoon due to a fracture in her neck, according to the New York Racing Association.

Lavender Road, owned by Kallenberg Farms and trained by Abigail Adsit, was diagnosed with the fracture by Dr. Travis Tull, the attending physician at the Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital near the track where the filly was brought Wednesday.

“At the time of admission, she was examined by Dr. Tull and was treated throughout the afternoon and evening with fluids and medication to reduce swelling related to an acute, traumatic injury,” Dr. Scott Palmer, the New York State Equine Medical Director said in a press release issued by NYRA late Thursday afternoon. “Extensive diagnostic tests were performed and ultimately revealed a fracture of the seventh cervical vertebrae [in her neck]. Her owners and trainer were advised of the diagnosis, for which, tragically, there is no successful medical or surgical treatment. She was humanely euthanized.”

Lavender Road was entered to run in Wednesday’s seventh race at Saratoga. Jockey Junior Alvarado didn’t like how the 3-year-old filly was warming up and after discussing his concerns with Dr. Anthony Verderosa, NYRA’s chief examining veterinarian, the filly was scratched.

After the other horses completed the race, Lavender Road was being walked off the track when she fell, presumably from heatstroke, near the gap where horses enter the track from the paddock. Lavender Girl attempted to get up 10 times, but on the first occasion she hit her head against the padded rail sustaining head trauma.

Ultimately, Lavender Road was sedated, placed on a mat and slid into an equine ambulance and taken to Rood and Riddle.

Lavender Road a daughter of First Defence out of the stakes-winning mare Beebe Lake, won 1 of 6 starts and earned $32,190.