Live Oak Plantation’s Hesanoldsalt, a 5-year-old son of Broad Brush, was euthanized Jan. 16 following a freak accident at Palm Meadows, according to trainer Nick Zito.
The Kentucky homebred had just re-entered training after a layup, his last effort being a fourth-place finish in allowance company in August 2007. He shipped into Zito’s barn at Palm Meadows Jan. 15, and was walking the shedrow the next day when he reared and broke away from his handler.
“He went out one end of the barn and headed down the dirt road hauling you-know-what,” Zito said. “Michael Matz’s barn is two barns down from mine, and one of his workers tried to get in the way of Hesanoldsalt and stop him. Luckily for the kid, he didn’t run into him, but unluckily for us the horse ducked and hit a tree.”
Hesanoldsalt broke his shoulder and forearm and was euthanized immediately.
Winner of the Fred W. Hooper Handicap (gr. III) in 2006, Hesanoldsalt raced against some of the greatest runners of this decade. He was fifth behind Barbaro in the Florida Derby (gr. I), finished fourth to Bernardini in the Travers (gr. I), finished second to Invasor in the Donn Handicap (gr. I), placed behind Flashy Bull in the William Donald Schaefer Handicap (gr. III), and finished between Minister’s Bid and Evening Attire in a Saratoga allowance.
“He looked great when he came in,” said Zito. “He was gonna have a good year. It’s sad, and when I think of all the good memories we had with him, it’s just incredible. I loved that horse. He was a wonderful, wonderful addition to our barn.”
Hesanoldsalt was bred at Live Oak Stud in Kentucky out of the Cox’s Ridge mare Salty Gal. He was a full brother to Gary and Mary West’s Mongoose, winner of the 2002 Donn Handicap (gr. I), who now stands in Florida at Journeyman Stud.
