Speedy Toby's Success Dies After Delta Downs Effort

• Email
• Print
• Tweet

(Edited from Fair Grounds reports)
Toby's Success, who set a track record for 5 1/2 furlongs at Fair Grounds last month, collapsed and died while galloping out following a third-place finish in the $100,000 Louisiana Premier Night Sprint at Delta Downs on Saturday.

Trained by Troy Young, the 4-year-old Louisiana-bred was making just his fourth career start on Saturday, and first since his record-breaking performance at Fair Grounds on Jan. 26 when he ran 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:03.20 on the main track in a state-bred allowance race.

On Saturday, Toby's Success set a clear pace and stopped badly in the stretch with jockey Gerard Melancon aboard.

"Gerard said that he let out a big, old grunt at the top of the stretch and quit running," said Young. "(Melancon) said the grunts got worse and he knew something was wrong. He got off on the turn and (Toby's Success) fell."

The cause of death remains unknown, and an autopsy was not requested on the son of Forty Won, who won two of four starts with earnings of $49,830 for owner Valene Farms.

"He was the fastest horse I ever had," Young remembered. "It was unbelievable what this horse could do for his size ... He was so quick on his feet for a long-striding horse. He was a freak."

• Email
• Print
• Tweet