Serious euthanized due to injuries from turf race

DEL MAR, Calif. – Serious, a former $5,000 claimer who suffered sesamoid injuries in a turf sprint July 31 at Del Mar, was euthanized Thursday because of complications from the injury, according to California equine medical director Dr. Rick Arthur.

An effort was made to save Serious in the weeks following her injury, but the filly’s condition deteriorated in recent days. She is the fifth horse to be euthanized as a result of injuries sustained in turf races since the meeting began July 17.

“There were complications from the injury that made it impossible to go on,” Arthur said.

Trained by Vince Smith for Diana Lopez and Raul Sosa, Serious suffered fractured sesamoids in an optional claimer. There was immediate concern that Serious would have to be euthanized after the race, but she was taken back to Smith’s base at Los Alamitos in an effort to save the 4-year-old filly as a broodmare.

As recently as Aug. 7, Smith was optimistic that Serious could be saved.

Following the injury to Serious, Del Mar officials canceled turf racing Aug. 1-8. During that time, the turf course was aerated and underwent extensive watering for the second time in the last month. Turf racing resumed Aug. 9.

Serious, by Flower Alley, won 3 of 15 starts and $54,350.