Snow Chief dies from heart attack

By: SPORTS NETWORK

 

Paso Robles, CA (Sports Network) - Former champion thoroughbred Snow Chief has died at the age of 27 from an apparent heart attack. The 1986 Preakness Stakes winner died on Saturday at Eagle Oak Ranch.

Snow Chief was bred and co-owned by Carl Grinstead and trained by Mel Stute. The colt was voted 1986 champion three-year-old male following victories in the El Camino Real Derby, Florida Derby, Santa Anita Derby, Preakness and Jersey Derby.

Ridden by Alex Solis, Snow Chief was the 2-1 favorite for the 1986 Kentucky Derby. After racing near the leaders he finished a tiring 11th to Ferdinand and jockey Bill Shoemaker. He was held out of the Belmont Stakes.

As a four-year-old in 1987 Snow Chief won the Strub Stakes at Santa Anita and the Oaklawn Handicap at Oaklawn Park. He finished his career with 13 wins in 24 starts and $3.3 million.