California Sprinter Unlimited Value Dead

Unlimited Value, who won the Cal Cup Sprint at Santa on Nov. 2, was euthanized this week after an unsuccessful attempt to save him following surgery for a broken right front pastern.

A winner of $395,980 with victories in seven of 13 starts in his three-year career, the 6-year-old gelded son of Present Value out of the mare Donna Duck (by Don B.) was bred by Harris Farms and Ray Johnson, who also raced him. He was trained throughout his career by Carla Gaines at the track and by Per Antonsen at the farm.

His most recent victory came on Nov. 2, when he easily won the six- furlong Cal Cup Sprint in 1:08 1/5.

After winning the Frost Free Stakes at Santa Anita in March, 2001 he sustained a fracture of his right foreleg that required surgery, and was out of training for several months. He returned on Aug. 18 at Del Mar to easily win his the first start in his return campaign. That was followed by a fourth-place showing in the California Sprint at Bay Meadows prior to his win at Santa Anita.

"He came out of this year's Cal Cup in fine shape, but a few weeks afterward sustained a fracture of his right front pastern while galloping," said John Harris.

Following the surgery, he was returned to the farm, where further fractures in the leg were discovered on Dec. 19.

"In an effort to save him, he was sent to surgery on December 23 at the Equine Hospital of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, but the fractures were found to be so severe that the only option was euthanasia," said Harris. "All of us at Harris Farms were devastated by his loss, as he was top horse with a wonderful personality. He was a great comeback story, and it is very sad to see him gone."