Albany, Calif.
Two horses died this week at Golden Gate Fields only days
before the track will host the last races in its 83-year history. A track
source confirmed the deaths first reported by television station KTVU.
Sam Spade, a 2-year-old Coast Guard gelding who had yet to
race, died in his barn Thursday after a bout with what was believed to be
colic, the source said.
J D’s Rude Boy, a 4-year-old colt owned by Richard James and
trained by Bill McLean, took what appeared to be a bad step in the homestretch near
the end of Friday’s fourth race. He was put in a leg splint before walking onto
the equine ambulance, but his injury was said to be serious, and he was euthanized.
The colt’s jockey Luis Jiménez Aburto was thrown to the track.
Although he was expected to recover from his minor injuries, he took off his ride
in the final race. Jiménez Aburto also took a spill in the second race when Ford
Flyer ducked in at the gap coming out of the six-furlong chute. The 3-year-old
colt circled the track unharmed before being collared by an out-rider.
Golden Gate Fields will host its last two racing cards
Saturday and Sunday. It is being closed by The Stronach Group as part of a plan
to consolidate its West Coast racing at Santa Anita.