Reach the World, who was pointing toward runs in the Preakness Stakes (G1) and Belmont Stakes (G1), was euthanized after sustaining an injury during training April 22 at Santa Anita Park, according to Don Alberto Stable racing manager Fernando Diaz-Valdes.
Working in company with Bob Baffert stablemate and fellow 3-year-old American Anthem, the gray Tapit colt broke down near the eighth pole and was taken off the main track in an equine ambulance. Diaz-Valdes said the colt sustained a severe sesamoid fracture.
"This horse—we were quite high on him for the Preakness and Belmont," Diaz-Valdes said. "Such awful news and such a tough game. We lost a good horse."
Reach the World ran fourth last time out in the April 8 Santa Anita Derby (G1), and flashed plenty of talent in his two prior starts—a 3 1/4-length maiden-breaking win going 1 1/16 miles Feb. 4 at Santa Anita and a neck second to Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1)-bound Battle of Midway in an optional-claiming allowance going the same distance March 9. Don Alberto purchased Battle of Midway in partnership with WinStar Farm April 21.
A Don Alberto homebred, out of the Galileo mare Reach The Stars, Reach the World was a $975,000 RNA at the 2015 Keeneland September yearling sale. He had one win from four starts.
