Indian Flare, trained by Bobby Frankel and owned by Juddmonte Farms, died after apparently fracturing her pelvis in the Aug. 26 running of the Ballerina Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga Race Course, according to track veterinarian Anthony Verderosa.
"She fractured her pelvis, probably at the break, and died of cardiovascular shock," Verderosa said. "It's not uncommon for a horse to run their race and come back like that."
Jockey Javier Castellano said he found it hard to believe the mare was injured anywhere near the start.
"She broke so good; she ran so well," he said. "I didn't feel anything wrong during the race. She felt tired and I pulled her up, and she felt like she didn't want to walk, so I jumped off. I tried to take off the tongue tie and when I handed her to the groom, she went down. I was really surprised when the vet said she passed away, because they gave her water, gave her attention, everything was so quick, and when I left I thought she was just tired like a normal horse."
Indian Flare led the field of nine through most of the Ballerina, setting early fractions of :22.27 and :44.57 before losing her position to Baroness Thatcher on the far turn. She was sixth at the head of the stretch and faded to last by the wire. After galloping back, the bay mare collapsed near the winners' circle and was removed from the track by equine ambulance after efforts to revive her failed.
Indian Flare, foaled in Kentucky March 12, 2002 by Juddmonte Farms, was a 5-year-old daughter of Cherokee Run out of the Capote mare True Flare. With a lifetime record of 7-5-3 from 20 starts, she raced on the dirt, turf, and over Keeneland's Polytrack surface, and won the Vagrancy Handicap (gr. II) at Belmont Park June 17. Her lifetime earnings amounted to $443,236.
