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(New York, NY) — An eighth horse is dead at the home of the Kentucky Derby.
Rio Moon suffered a “catastrophic injury to his left foreleg” just after crossing the finish line in Sunday’s sixth race. The race notes stated the three-year-old horse was euthanized Sunday at the Louisville, Ky., track.
Moon, ridden by Martin Garcia and trained by Dale Romans, made six career starts and earned $11,621.
This comes as seven horses died over a ten day period at the famous race track.
Two horses were euthanized after being injured in races on the Kentucky Derby undercard on May 6. Five others were put down after training and racing incidents.
In the wake of the incidents, Churchill Downs suspended trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. Joseph trained two horses — Parents Pride and Chasing Artie — that collapsed and died at Churchill Downs. Officials also scratched Joseph-trained Lord Miles from the Derby.
Churchill Downs said it was working continuously to “improve upon the highest industry standards,” but acknowledged there was “more to be done and we will rigorously work to understand what caused these incidents and build upon our existing data, programs and practices.”
The horse deaths prompted widespread criticism, and a joint investigation was launched by track officials.
The Preakness Stakes — the second leg of horse racing’s triple crown — will be held Saturday at Pimlico Race Coure in Baltimore. The Belmont Stakes — the final triple crown event — will be held June 10 at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y.
