Multiple stakes winner Barraza euthanized following training injury
ARCADIA, Calif. - Barraza, the winner of two sprint stakes on turf earlier this year, was euthanized on Saturday as a result of a sesamoid injury sustained during morning exercise at Santa Anita, trainer Vladimir Cerin said.
Barraza, a 4-year-old colt by Into Mischief, won 5 of 14 starts and earned $262,075.
At his stable office, Cerin said he had hoped Barraza could be saved as a stallion prospect, but that he was told by veterinarians that the injury was too severe.
“He was a really cool horse,” Cerin said.
Barraza was claimed by David and Holly Wilson for $100,000 from trainer Bob Baffert in April 2021. Barraza was eighth in the Grade 2 Del Mar Derby last September in his stakes debut.
This year, Barraza won 3 of 4 starts and earned $153,415. Two of the wins occurred in the restricted Clocker’s Corner Stakes on Jan. 22 and the Grade 3 San Simeon Stakes on Feb. 20, both at Santa Anita. Barraza finished seventh in the Grade 2 Shakertown Stakes at Keeneland on April 9 in what turned out to be his final start.
Barraza is the second fatality in as many days at Santa Anita. On Friday, the 3-year-old filly Pray for My Owner collapsed of an apparent internal injury after finishing last of seven in an allowance race.