Report: Kentucky Derby 2018 hopeful Mourinho euthanized

HRN Staff
Photo: Coady Photography

Mourinho, the Smarty Jones Stakes winner who was on the 2018 Kentucky Derby trail, suffered a fatal injury Monday in training, according to the Daily Racing Form.

The report indicated the colt suffered a sesamoid fracture in a workout at Santa Anita Park.

"Up and down, every day. It's a shame," said trainer Bob Baffert in an interview with DRF, as he had top 3-year-olds McKinzie and Justify both emerge as major Kentucky Derby contenders over the weekend.

Mourinho made five career starts running for Phoenix Thoroughbreds, with his front-running score in the Jan. 15 Smarty Jones at Oaklawn Park the one that moved him on Kentucky Derby lists. He was a $625,000 purchase as a 2-year-old and also graded stakes placed.

Fourth last out in the Grade 3 Southwest Stakes, Mourinho was working up to another Derby trail start.

The son of of Super Saver was breezing with stablemate Restoring Hope, Baffert said, when he "took a bad step" and suffered the injury.

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