Multiple Grade 1 winner Cave Rock euthanized

Cave Rock, one of the leading 2-year-olds of 2022, was euthanized on Friday from the effects of laminitis, Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert announced on the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

Cave Rock did not race this year, but was in light training last month when he was sent to a San Diego-area equine clinic to be treated for colic. Cave Rock underwent surgery and initially showed signs of recovery before his condition deteriorated, veterinarian Vince Baker wrote in a statement posted by Baffert.

Cave Rock, by Arrogate, won 3 of 4 starts and earned $748,000 in 2022. He won two Grade 1 races – the Del Mar Futurity last September and American Pharoah Stakes last October before finishing second by 1 1/2 lengths as the 1-2 favorite to Forte in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Keeneland in November.

Forte was later named champion 2-year-old male of 2022.

Cave Rock was rested last fall and early winter and resumed training at Santa Anita earlier this year. Cave Rock had six workouts from mid-February to early April before he was taken out of serious training.

As recently as last month, Baffert said he hoped to resume workouts with Cave Rock before the illnesses occurred.

Owned by the partnership of Mike Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman, Cave Rock was purchased for $550,000 as a yearling.

The partnership have had a difficult year. In May, their three-time stakes winner Havnameltdown was euthanized after suffering a leg injury in the Grade 3 Chick Lang Stakes at PImlico.