Tornado Kills Stakes Winner in Ocala

Multiple stakes winner Lucky Lady Lauren was killed by a toppled tree when a thunderstorm and tornado blasted through the Ocala, Fla., area March 29, according to the Ocala Star-Banner. Four other horses were reported killed by the twister.

"She was the best horse we had and she was expecting in two weeks, said Melody Hicks, who owns Hickstead Farm with her husband, Brian. "It's a shame." Lucky Lady Lauren earned better than $300,000 in four years of racing, including winning the 1991 Arlington Matron Handicap (gr. III) and four other stakes. The 14-year-old daughter of Carnivalay was in foal to Menifee.

Workers found her lying on her side alive, but in pain, and she was too injured to be saved.

A foal out of Discover America was feared missing in the storm, but was discovered in a nearby paddock. The 3-week-old had a broken jaw, but was saved.

The twister cut a 100-yard swath through the area.