Pomodoro euthanized after breakdown

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Pomodoro, a 2-year-old Godolphin Racing homebred filly by Medaglia d’Oro, was euthanized Sunday evening after breaking down in her right foreleg in the eighth race at Churchill. Jockey Florent Geroux was not injured, nor were any other horses or jockeys.

Chief steward Barbara Borden said veterinary staff tried to save the filly’s life, but the injury was too severe. Pomodoro was making her third career start when Geroux pulled her up entering the first turn of the 1 1/16-mile maiden race on the turf.

• Golden Lad, shipping in from New York for trainer Todd Pletcher, is expected to be a solid favorite in the $175,000 Lukas Classic, one of three stakes to be run Saturday at Churchill. The race was known for its first two runnings as the Homecoming Classic before being renamed for Pletcher’s former boss, trainer D. Wayne Lukas.

The Grade 3 Ack Ack and Grade 3 Jefferson Cup also will be on the Saturday card, for which entries were to be drawn Wednesday.

• With 10 wins, Corey Lanerie enters the final four-day stretch of the 11-day meet atop the jockey standings. Lanerie has been the leading rider at eight of the last nine Churchill meets. Sunday is closing day.