Report: Talented 3-year-old Montauk suffers fatal training injury

Montauk, an open-lengths debut winner last fall who figured to contend in premier races for 3-year-olds after the Triple Crown series, was euthanized Thursday morning after injured during his workout at Belmont Park, the Daily Racing Form's David Grening reported.

Trainer Todd Pletcher told DRF Montauk fractured his left shoulder.

"Very disappointing, very unusual injury," Pletcher added, as the colt was "breezing an easy half," pulled up and had to be vanned off.

On October 7, Montauk won his only start by 11 1/4 lengths, sparking conversation he'd be a prime player on the Kentucky Derby trail. The $850,000 purchase was campaigned in partnership by Robert LaPenta, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Twin Creeks Racing Stables and Bridlewood Farm.

"We know we’ve got the goods,” Eclipse’s Aron Wellman said in January.

Montauk was injured Thursday in what was his second workout back at Pletcher's barn. Earlier this year, he breezed twice before declared off the Derby trail "to address a minor throat issue," Wellman said at the time.

Wellman added that "by doing what’s best for the horse, we do hope to have a very serious animal on our hands for the second half of the year," likening him to previous late bloomers Arrogate and West Coast.