Pine Island Euthanized; Fleet Indian Injured in Distaff

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The two 5-2 co-favorites in the Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Distaff (gr. I) both broke down during the running of the race and failed to finish.

Phipps Stable's Pine Island suffered a dislocation of the left front fetlock and was euthanized shortly after the race. Dr. Wayne McIlwraithe, an on-call veterinarian at Churchill Downs, said there were likely multiple fractures and a soft tissue injury involved as well. "You have a decreased blood supply and an open wound that means contamination," he noted. Pine Island's rider, Javier Castellano, was transported to a first aid site ontrack and returned to the jockeys' room shortly thereafter. He is the jockey of Breeders' Cup Classic favorite Bernardino.

The 3-year-old Pine Island, who had won th Alabama (gr. I) and Gazelle (gr. I) in succession coming into the Distaff, won four of seven in her career with two seconds and earned $666,800.

Fleet Indian, the co-favorite in the Distaff, suffered a lateral condylar fracture that is believed to be repairable, according to Dr. McIlwraithe. Paul Saylor's Fleet Indian is scheduled to sell as a broodmare prospect at the Keeneland November sale Monday. Dr. McIlwraithe said she should be able to assume a broodmare career.

The 5-year-old mare Fleet Indian brought an eight-race winning streak into the Distaff, including victories in the Personal Ensign (gr. I) and Beldame (gr. I) in her last two starts. She won 13 of 19 and earned $1,704,513.

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