Secret Money gets up to take Floral Park; sustains serious injury on gallop-out

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Secret Money outfinished Love Appeals by a head to win Saturday’s $135,000 Floral Park Stakes at Aqueduct, but while galloping out, she suffered an injury to her left foreleg that figures to, at the least, end her racing career.

About a quarter mile past the wire, Secret Money went down on the turf course and laid there for several minutes. Veterinarians were able to get a brace on Secret Money’s left foreleg and she ultimately got up and was walked onto the equine ambulance.

According to the New York Racing Association veterinary department, Secret Money was being transported to the Cornell Ruffian Equine Specialists, across the street from Belmont Park, for assessment for surgery.

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Carmouche said Secret Money switched leads a couple of times on the gallop-out.

“As soon as she switched back to the right lead, I went to grab her because I knew something was wrong.” Carmouche said. “She messed up her ankle. Hopefully, they can save her. It sucks, man. It don’t even feel like a win to be honest.”

Secret Money and Love Appeals were basically running alongside each other from early on in the race. Secret Money just had a little bit more in the stretch to outkick Love Appeals, ridden by Dylan Davis, who thought he was a winner.

“I had them all the way until the last couple of jumps, but I thought she ran a very good race,” Davis said.

Secret Money, a 4-year-old daughter of Good Magic, is owned by Emcee Stable, Richard Nicolai’s Fortune Farm, and Robert Hahn and trained by Brendan Walsh. She covered the six furlongs in 1:08.97 over firm turf and returned $7.60 as the second choice.

The victory was Secret Money’s fourth in 15 starts and includes a victory in the Grade 3, $996,570 Music City Stakes in 2023. Secret Money’s career earnings are $972,580.

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