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Dance With Fate suffers fatal injuries in training
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| Dance With Fate sadly didn't have the chance to fulfill his considerable potential
(Rickelle Nelson/Horsephotos.com) |
Blue Grass hero Dance with Fate, a top contender in Saturday's Grade 2 San
Diego Handicap, suffered fatal injuries in a freak accident during training
hours Thursday at Del Mar. Veterinarians attempted to save him, but sadly,
trainer Peter Eurton reported via Twitter that the colt lost his life.
"Words can't express what we're feeling right now," Eurton posted on Twitter.
"With an extremely heavy heart we report Dance With Fate was unable to survive
his injuries.
"Thank you for all of the support during a rough time like this. The joy he gave
us will never be forgotten."The tragic incident occurred when Dance With Fate
bolted, unseated exercise rider Joe Durant, and collided with the outside fence.
Durant was himself injured and transported to Scripps La Jolla Hospital.
Eurton later tweeted an update about Durant's condition after speaking with
the exercise rider's wife, Janice.
Durant "suffered fractures in his spine and ribs. Will have surgery tomm.
Wishing him a speedy recovery," Eurton wrote.
Reports suggest that Dance With Fate was apparently spooked by something he saw on
the far turn. Eurton told Steve Andersen of Daily Racing Form that the
bridle came off, and the colt was running loose when he ran into the
rail. Eurton did say that he was not an eyewitness, but others on the scene told
him what happened.
Earlier Thursday, Eurton had spoken with Del Mar's track publicity. "I don't know exactly how it happened or why," the trainer said. "He tore
some ligaments pretty severely in behind (right rear leg). We've taken X-rays
and they've been sent to Dr. (C. Wayne) McIlwraith for evaluation. We are still
searching for a way to go here. We will explore all possibilities. We are not
giving up until we run out of options." |
Dance With Fate was last seen finishing sixth in the May 3 Kentucky Derby.
Shipped to New York for the July 5 Belmont Derby, the nearly-black son of Two
Step Salsa came down with a case of colic and had to be scratched.
One of last season's prominent two-year-olds, Dance With Fate was runner-up
in the Del Mar Futurity and FrontRunner and eighth in the Breeders' Cup
Juvenile. He kicked off his 2014 campaign with a brilliant score in a Santa
Anita turf allowance and subsequently reverted to synthetic for the February 15
El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields, where he finished a fine second.
Dance With Fate was freshened ahead of his long-term aim, the April 12 Blue
Grass at Keeneland, and he responded with a career-defining victory. Runner-up
Medal Count has since gone on to finish third in the June 7 Belmont Stakes.
Campaigned by Sharon Alesia, Bran Jam Stable and Ciaglia Racing, Dance With
Fate bankrolled $680,050 from his 9-3-3-0 line.
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