Woodbine probing death of Wake at Noon

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Woodbine is conducting an internal investigation into the death of Wake at Noon, a former Canadian horse of the year who sustained catastrophic injuries and was euthanized on the training track here Tuesday.

A 13-year-old, Wake At Noon had not started since Nov. 18, 2007, and had been pursuing an unproductive career at stud, which had been interrupted with a return to the races on at least one previous occasion.

"The horse certainly wasn't eligible to race here," said Jamie Martin, Woodbine's senior vice president of racing

"We're looking at all the circumstances," Martin said. "We do rely on the trainer in these matters."

Wake at Noon had shipped in from owner Bruno Schickedanz's farm to breeze on the dirt surface here with Tom Marino the trainer of record and suffered his fatal breakdown.

"The Ontario Racing Commission had the horse sent to Guelph University, for a necropsy," added Martin.

Schickedanz was out of town and not available for comment.

Wake at Noon, bred in Ontario by Schickedanz, was Canada's horse of the year, champion sprinter, and champion older horse in 2002.

His career record stands and 21 wins, 8 seconds, and 7 thirds from 67 starts for earnings of $1,696,156.