12 horses have died in a series of fatalities at the Kentucky Derby, with two more racehorses recently passing away.

Two More Horses Die at Churchill Downs, Bringing Total to 12 in a Month

Churchill Downs, the home of the Kentucky Derby, has been hit with a string of fatalities over the past month. The latest victims are Kimberley Dream and Lost in Limbo, who both died following injuries sustained during races.

“We do not accept this as suitable or tolerable and share the frustrations of the public, and in some cases, the questions to which we do not yet have answers,” the track said in a statement.

The track is working to determine the cause of the injuries and appropriate investments to minimize risk to the sport and its property. An epidemiological study with the Jockey Club is also underway to identify undetected patterns.

Details of the Fatalities

Mare Kimberley Dream was euthanized after sustaining a distal sesamodean ligament rupture to her front leg during Saturday’s first race. Lost in Limbo was euthanized following a similar injury just before the finish line in Friday’s seventh race. Both injuries were deemed “inoperable and unrecoverable.”

Kimberley Dream and Lost in Limbo were both 7-year-old Kentucky breds with at least 35 starts each.

Investigations and Tests

Churchill Downs commissioned surface expert Mick Peterson to perform additional tests on the track, but the data did not raise concerns. An epidemiological study with the Jockey Club is reviewing each horse to determine undetected patterns not previously identified.

Previous Fatalities

Seven horses died at Churchill Downs from training or racing injuries in the week leading up to the 149th Kentucky Derby on May 6, starting with qualifier Wild On Ice on April 27. Two were euthanized following injuries on the Derby undercard, and two others died on May 14 and May 20.

Tragic Losses

As team members mourn the loss of the animals, Churchill Downs’ statement added, the track is working to determine cause and appropriate investments to minimize risk to the sport and its property.

Kimberley Dream

• Trained by Freddie Winston
• Making her 61st start in the 1 1/16th mile claiming race
• Winless in four starts this year
• Seven wins, eight seconds, and six thirds with $174,372 in earnings

Lost in Limbo

• A gelding trained by Michael Lauer
• Collapsed inside the final 1/16th and threw jockey Ricardo Santana Jr.
• Two thirds in four starts this year and five career
• Five wins and three seconds, earning $225,996 lifetime

The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.

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