SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The very promising A. P. Kid, runaway winner of the Pennine Ridge at Saratoga just three weeks earlier, was euthanized after suffering an irreparable fracture while working over the Oklahoma turf course on Friday.
A. P. Kid had just entered the stretch when he “took a funny step switching leads,” trainer Todd Pletcher said in explaining what caused the fatal injury.
A 3-year-old son of Honor A. P. owned by Donegal Racing, A. P. Kid made just three starts during his brief career. He won his two most recent outings, a maiden special weight in his turf debut by 2 1/2 lengths early this spring at Gulfstream Park, followed by the Pennine Ridge by an impressive 6 1/4 lengths in his stakes debut on June 7 at Saratoga. The Pennine Ridge was originally carded for turf but was ultimately decided at one mile over a muddy track.
“He was a promising colt. It’s very unfortunate,” said Pletcher, who added that A. P. Kid had been working last Friday over the turf with the thought of possibly of running here this Friday in the Grade 1 Belmont Derby Invitational.
:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.