LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A horse died Sunday after a race at Churchill Downs, making it the eighth death in recent weeks at the Kentucky Derby site.
Rio Moon «suffered a catastrophic injury to his left front leg a few steps past the wire,» according to notes in the Equibase table for race six.
The 3-year-old colt ridden by Martín García was euthanized, according to the graph. Rio Moon was trained by Dale Romans and winless in six career starts with earnings of $11,621.
They sacrificed two horses after being injured racing on the undercard of the Kentucky Derby on May 6. Five others were euthanized after training and racing incidents at the track in the days leading up to the Derby.
Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. he was suspended indefinitely by Churchill Downs during Derby week after two of his horses collapsed on the track and died. Kentucky racing officials scraped his Derby entry, Lord Miles too.