Golden Gate Fields: 2 horses die only days before track closes

Albany, Calif.

Two horses died this week at Golden Gate Fields only days before the track will host the last races in its 83-year history. A track source confirmed the deaths first reported by television station KTVU.

Sam Spade, a 2-year-old Coast Guard gelding who had yet to race, died in his barn Thursday after a bout with what was believed to be colic, the source said.

J D’s Rude Boy, a 4-year-old colt owned by Richard James and trained by Bill McLean, took what appeared to be a bad step in the homestretch near the end of Friday’s fourth race. He was put in a leg splint before walking onto the equine ambulance, but his injury was said to be serious, and he was euthanized.

The colt’s jockey Luis Jiménez Aburto was thrown to the track. Although he was expected to recover from his minor injuries, he took off his ride in the final race. Jiménez Aburto also took a spill in the second race when Ford Flyer ducked in at the gap coming out of the six-furlong chute. The 3-year-old colt circled the track unharmed before being collared by an out-rider.

Golden Gate Fields will host its last two racing cards Saturday and Sunday. It is being closed by The Stronach Group as part of a plan to consolidate its West Coast racing at Santa Anita.