Dance With Fate euthanized after major injury

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Del Mar, CA (SportsNetwork.com) - Blue Grass Stakes winner Dance With Fate was euthanized Thursday after suffering a major injury in the morning while galloping at Del Mar Racetrack.

Dance With Fate, trained by Peter Eurton, was being ridden by exercise rider Joe Durant nearing the far turn when he suddenly bolted to the outside fence and crashed into it, unseating Durant. An ambulance took Dance With Fate to Eurton's Barn X at Del Mar and Durant was taken by ambulance to Scripps La Jolla Hospital with unknown injuries.

"I don't know exactly how it happened or why," said Eurton shortly after the incident.

According to attending veterinarian Helmuth Von Bluecher, DVM, the 3-year-old colt suffered the rupture of two of his three large patella ligaments in his right rear leg. The decision was made to euthanize Dance With Fate after being attended to by Dr. Von Bluecher, along with veterinarians Dr. Jeff Blea and Dr. Jen Finley.

"Words can't express what we're feeling right now. With an extremely heavy heart we report Dance With Fate was unable to survive his injuries. Thank you for all of the support during a rough time like this. The joy he gave us will never be forgotten," Eurton posted on his Twitter account.

Dance With Fate had been entered for Saturday's San Diego Handicap versus older horses. He had three wins and three seconds in nine career starts and earnings of $680,050.