Wild On Ice, winner of the Sunland Derby GIII last March, and who was one of the contenders in the Kentucky Derby, had to be euthanized after sustaining a severe injury to his left hind leg after Thursday morning practice.
The Churchill Downs media office released the following statement very early that same Thursday:
Frank Sumpter-owned Sunland Derby (G3) winner Wild On Ice will miss Kentucky Derby 149 due to a left hind leg injury that occurred after training just before 6 a.m. Thursday at Churchill Downs. .
“The Texas-bred gelding posted a time of 1:01.40 over five furlongs and was then stopped while galloping down the stretch.
“Wild On Ice was evaluated at the Churchill Downs Equine Medical Center and was subsequently transported to Lexington to an equine surgical center for further evaluation. Trainer Joel Marr and jockey Ken Tohill, who was riding, were also heading to Lexington.
“Wild On Ice’s defection will allow Skinner, who finished third in the Santa Anita Derby (G1), to enter the Kentucky Derby field,” the statement said.
A little later, Sumpter confirmed to the press that Wild On Ice, son of Tapizar, had suffered a fracture and had been euthanized.
