Pastor T sustains fatal injury in workout

DEL MAR, Calif. — Pastor T, an impressive maiden race winner in his debut on Aug. 12 and one of Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert’s leading 2-year-olds this summer, was euthanized Saturday after suffering a catastrophic leg injury during a workout at Del Mar.

Pastor T was nearing the final line when he was stricken.

By Into Mischief, Pastor T raced for Siena Farm and WinStar Farm. Pastor T was bred by WinStar Farm.

On Aug. 12, Pastor T closed from fourth in a field of seven to win a maiden race at 5 1/2 furlongs by 4 1/4 lengths. He was considered a candidate for the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity on Sept. 10 following that win.

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At the current Del Mar summer meeting which began on July 21, five horses have died as a result of injuries in racing or training, according to the California Horse Racing Board.

The injury occurred on a busy morning of workouts a week in advance of the track’s signature race, the Grade 1 Pacific Classic at 1 1/4 miles on Sept. 2.

Five expected runners for the Pacific Classic worked on Saturday.

Arabian Knight, third in the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational for 3-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles at Monmouth Park for Baffert on July 22, worked five furlongs in 59.60 seconds. Arabian Knight was beaten for the first time in his third career start in the Haskell. The $1 million Pacific Classic will be his first start against older horses.

Skinner, second in the Los Alamitos Derby on July 8, worked five furlongs in 1:00.60. The Pacific Classic will be Skinner’s first start against older horses for trainer John Shirreffs.

Tripoli, who won the Pacific Classic in 2021 but was fifth in the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap at 1 1/16 miles on July 29, worked seven furlongs in 1:25.60.

Stilleto Boy, the winner of the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap at 1 1/4 miles in March but beaten in his last two starts, worked five furlongs in 1:00.60.

The multiple stakes winner Slow Down Andy, second in the San Diego, worked six furlongs in 1:13.60.

The other candidates for the Pacific Classic are led by Geaux Rocket Ride, who won the Haskell, Senor Buscador, who won the San Diego; and Defunded, who won the Grade 1 Hollywood Gold Cup at 1 1/4 miles at Santa Anita May 29, but was fourth in the San Diego.

Piroli, second in the Hollywood Gold Cup; Katonah, winner of the Pleasanton Mile in Northern California last month; and Order and Law, who won the Grade 3 Cougar II Stakes at 1 1/2 miles on dirt on July 23, round out the list of probable starters.

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