Wild On Ice, the reigning sunland derby winner was euthanized Thursday after suffering a hind leg injury at Churchill Downs while training for the Kentucky Derby next weekend, owner Frank Sumpter said.
He raised in Texas The gelding suffered the injury just before 6am after running five furlongs in 1:01.40, the track said in a news release.
Kentucky Derby horse Wild On Ice trains with jockey Ken Tohill on board during a morning workout, April 27, 2023, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. (Matt Stone/USA Today Network)
Wild On Ice was evaluated on site before being transported to a surgical center for further examination, but Sumpter told the Associated Press that euthanasia was the best option because «a lot of things could go wrong» with the type of injury he suffered. suffered.
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«I didn’t want him to suffer,» he said. «When you have a joint injury like that, and it’s in their hind legs, it’s difficult because they have to use a lot to stand on their hind legs. So, yeah, it’s a tough, tough deal to make.» these difficult decisions.
Sumpter continued: «It’s such a sad deal because he was training so well coming up the ladder and he was getting stronger all the time.»
Kentucky Derby horse Wild On Ice trains with jockey Ken Tohill on board during a morning workout, April 27, 2023, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. (Matt Stone/USA Today Network)
Wild On Ice was tied for 15th place in the derby standings after winning the Grade 3 Sunland Park Derby at a long shot of 35-1 at New Mexico on March 26.
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According to the El Paso Times, which first reported the news Thursday, Wild On Ice was in position to become the first Texas-bred horse to win the Kentucky Derby since 1950.
«Wild On Ice gave us so many great moments,» Sumpter told the outlet. «He will always be remembered. It’s a sad situation.»
Jockey Ken Tohill and Wild On Ice are pictured after winning the 18th running of the Sunland Derby at Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino in Sunland Park, New Mexico on March 26, 2023. (Ivan Pierre Aguirre / USA Today Network)
«These horses give us so many great moments in life, and our team puts in so many hours caring for the horses. He had a broken hind leg and it was determined he could not be saved. Wild On Ice had such heart.»
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The 149th running of the Kentucky Derby will take place on May 6. Skinner, who finished third in the Santa Anita Derby, will replace Wild On Ice in the 20-horse field.
Associated Press contributed to this report.