Cornucopian Euthanized Following Bing Crosby Injury

After sustaining an injury during the Bing Crosby Stakes (G1) July 25 at Del Mar, dual graded stakes winner Cornucopian was euthanized, Tom Ryan of co-owner SF Racing announced on X July 26. Cornucopian had raced in a stalking position early in the 6-furlong contest and was beginning to make a move toward the leaders when jockey Juan Hernandez began to pull him up around the quarter pole. California equine medical director Dr. Jeff Blea told Horse Racing Nation that the 4-year-old colt had injured his right-front fetlock. He was loaded into an ambulance and taken back to his barn for further evaluation, but ultimately the injury proved too severe. "Heavy hearts today. Yesterday, our brilliant colt Cornucopian sustained a catastrophic injury," Ryan said in the post. "We worked very closely with our veterinary team, and after hearing every expert opinion available, the kindest and clearest decision was to let him go with dignity. He was a brilliant colt with a huge heart and a partnership and fan base that loved him dearly." Bred in Kentucky by Three Chimneys Farm and Whisper Hill Farm, Cornucopian brought $1.1 million at the 2023 Keeneland September Yearling Sale when consigned by Gainseway. He raced for the partnership of SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Stonestreet Stables, Bashor Racing, Determined Stables, Robert Masterson, Front Row Club, Waves Edge Capital, Catherine Donovan, and Hill 'n' Dale Equine Holdings. He was trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert. Cornucopian caught plenty of eyes with a scintillating 5 3/4-length debut win over 6 furlongs at Oaklawn Park in February 2025. He would then stretch out to 1 1/8 miles and finish fourth in the Arkansas Derby (G1) in his second start. Returned to sprint competition at 4, Cornucopian continued to display his brilliance with a 2 3/4-length win in the San Carlos Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita Park in March and 1 1/4-length triumph in the Aristides Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs in May. Those credentials made him a 6-5 favorite in Saturday's Bing Crosby. With a record of 4-1-0 from eight starts, Cornucopian earned $462,655.