Wild On Ice (Coady Photography)
Churchill Downs Press Release
LOUISVILLE, Ky.— Frank Sumpter’s Sunland Derby (GIII) winner Wild On Ice will miss Kentucky Derby 149 due to a left hind leg injury that occurred following workout just before 6 a.m. on Thursday at Churchill Downs.
The Texas-bred gelding clocked five furlongs in 1:01.40 and then was pulled up while galloping out down the backstretch.
Wild On Ice was evaluated at the Churchill Downs Equine Medical Center and was subsequently transported to Lexington to an equine surgical facility for further evaluation. Trainer Joel Marr and jockey Ken Tohill, who was aboard for the breeze, were en route to Lexington as well.
Wild On Ice’s defection will allow Santa Anita Derby (GI) third-place finisher Skinner into the Kentucky Derby field.
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At roughly 11 A.M ET, Felix F. Chavez of the El Paso Times reported that Wild On Ice was euthanized following his injury earlier in the morning.
“He’ll forever be remembered,” owner Frank Sumpter said. “It’s a sad situation. My heart goes out to the team, trainer Joel Marr and everyone who helped us get to this point. These horses give us so many great moments in life and our team puts in so many hours taking care of the horses. He had a fracture in his hind leg and it was determined he couldn’t be saved. Wild On Ice had so much heart.”
