Oatman, Los Alamitos Winter Derby winner, euthanized

Oatman, the winner of the $215,600 Los Alamitos Winter Derby for Quarter Horses in February, was euthanized at an equine hospital in Las Vegas on Thursday, according to Holly Skeen, the wife of trainer Mark Skeen.

Holly Skeen did not divulge the cause of Oatman's death, but said that veterinarians attempted to save the 3-year-old.

"They did everything they could," she said.

Oatman raced for Fawna Knight and Ron Skeen and won the Winter Derby in stakes-record time of 19.16 seconds for 400 yards. The victory represented the most lucrative career wins for the owners and trainer.

Bred by Los Alamitos racetrack owner Ed Allred, Oatman won 2 of 6 starts and $192,737. Last fall, he finished sixth in the Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity.