KONA GOLD (Java Gold), winner of the 2000 Eclipse Award as champion sprinter,
was humanely euthanized at the Kentucky Horse Park Friday morning after
suffering a severe fracture to his left front leg while exercising in his
paddock. He was 15 years old.
Within minutes of the accident, he was taken to Hagyard Equine Medical
Institute for evaluation where it was determined by the surgical staff that his
injury was beyond repair. The unanimous decision to euthanize was made by the
surgeons, his former trainer Bruce Headley, and the staff at the Kentucky Horse
Park who have loved and cared for him during his retirement.
“Kona Gold came to the park because he deserved his place among our other
champions, and also because he endeared himself to the racing public during his
illustrious career on the track,” said John Nicholson, the park’s executive
director.
“It was a case of ‘love at first sight’ for our staff when Kona Gold stepped
off the van two years ago as a new resident of the Hall of Champions. Not only
was he a handsome animal with kind eyes, he was also gentle and good. He was
definitely one of my personal favorites because he had such a good heart.”
Kona Gold was a popular campaigner who won the 2000 Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1)
at Churchill Downs, setting a track and Breeders’ Cup record time of 1:07.77 for
six furlongs. Under regular rider Alex Solis, he also placed in two other
editions of the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, finishing third in 1998 and second in
1999.
His 11 stakes wins included the San Carlos H. (G1), two runnings apiece of
the Potrero Grande H. (G2) and Bing Crosby H. (G2), as well as the Palos Verdes
H. (G2), Ancient Title H. (G2) and Los Angeles H. (G3). Kona Gold also captured
the El Conejo H. at Santa Anita twice, once as a Grade 3 event, the other as a
listed event in a track-record 1:01 3/5 for 5 1/2 furlongs.
The top-class sprinter retired at the age of nine with $2,293,384 in earnings
and a record of 30-14-7-2.
In the two years that Kona Gold lived at the park, he became a favorite of
visitors because he was always willing to be petted and photographed. He will be
greatly missed by all of those who had the opportunity to care for and know him.
Kona Gold was bred by Carlos Perez’ Twilite Farm. Out of the Slew O’ Gold
mare Double Sunrise, he sold at the 1995 Keeneland September Yearling Sale for
$35,000. He was owned by trainer Headley (who also broke him), and Andrew and
Irwin Molasky.
When it was decided to send him to the Kentucky Horse Park, Irwin Molasky
said, “We had a meeting about it because this is a difficult decision for us —
because we love this animal so much — but we decided that he belongs to the
public. It’s been such a pleasure to own an athlete like this and be involved in
racing. He was such an honest horse and won so many graded races.”
The handsome bay was buried on the Memorial Walk of Champions alongside other
legendary former residents of the Hall of Champions Bold Forbes and Forego, and
near the graves of John Henry and Alysheba.
“While this is a sad day, we will always appreciate that Kona’s owners made
the decision to send him to the Kentucky Horse Park, and our sympathy goes out
to them and to all the people who have cherished him through the years,”
Nicholson concluded.