Intense Holiday succumbs to laminitis

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Louisville, KY (SportsNetwork.com) - Former Kentucky Derby contender Intense Holiday passed away Thursday from the effects of laminitis.

"We are sad to report that Starlight Racing's Intense Holiday lost his battle to laminitis today," Starlight Racing reported in a press release. "On May 27 Intense Holiday underwent surgery at the Hogan Equine Veterinary Clinic for a condylar fracture incurred during training on May 25. He was retired from racing following surgery, performed by Dr. Patty Hogan, but was expected to recover and, eventually, stand at stud."

He was euthanized at Hogan Equine by Dr. Hogan.

"To lose such a strong and vibrant athlete like Intense Holiday just underscores the insidious, nondiscriminatory nature of acute laminitis," Dr. Hogan said. "No horse is immune to this disease and it can strike at any time and with little warning. Intense Holiday was an incredibly stoic patient and his toughness humbled those of us caring for him. To this day, laminitis in the horse remains such a poorly understood disease process and our treatment options are so limited. I regret that we could not prevent the progression of the disease in this wonderful colt. It is a tragedy to lose him."

Trained by Todd Pletcher, Intense Holiday won the Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds on Feb. 22 after finishing third at Gulfstream Park four weeks earlier in the Holy Bull. The 3-year-old colt was second in the Louisiana Derby and 12th in the Kentucky Derby.

The son of Harlan's Holiday won two of nine career starts and $551,900.