Geaux Rocket Ride (outside) works in company at Santa Anita.(Ernie Belmonte/Past The Wire)
By Maribeth Kalinich
Geaux Rocket Ride succumbed to his injury sustained during a workout on Saturday at Santa Anita and was euthanized Tuesday afternoon.
Pin Oak Stud posted this on X today:
“Our hearts are broken but Geaux Rocket Ride is at peace. We will miss you forever, Rocket.
Breeders Cup issued this statement today: “The immense effort that went into Geaux Rocket Ride’s medical care following Saturday’s injury is a testament to his team’s deep commitment to his wellbeing. Our thoughts are with Pin Oak Stud LLC, Richard Mandella, and everyone affected by his loss.”
The Richard Mandella trainee was pre-entered for the Breeders’ Cup Classic but was injured in a workout with an open condylar fracture with intersesmoidian ligament damage to his right front leg.
The 3-year-old had surgery at the Southern California Equine Foundation (SCEF) equine hospital on Sunday, Oct. 29. The surgical repair for the injury is known as fetlock arthrodesis, essentially fusing the fetlock joint.
Owner Pin Oak Stud took to Twitter Monday morning with an update: “Rocket is having an unexpected response to the surgery and isn’t recovering as we hoped. He appears to be in no pain and is eating. Our boy is still fighting hard so we will keep fighting for him. Under Dr. (Ryan) Carpenter’s recommendation, he is moving to another facility better equipped to handle his post-op recovery.”
His jockey was Mike Smith, who is very close with his mounts and was riding Geaux Rocket Ride at the time of his injury.
The Candy Ride (ARG) colt won the Haskell by 1-3/4 lengths over Kentucky Derby winner Mage. He then finish second by a neck in the G1 Pacific Classic over Arabian Night. With three wins out of five career starts and two seconds, Geaux Rocket Ride earned $980,200.
Past The Wire offers their deepest condolences to Geaux Rocket Ride team and connections and all of his fans.
