by Paul Post

Demoiselle Stakes (G2) winner Springside, who was injured during her 9 1/2-length win in the 1 1/8-mile race on November 29 at Aqueduct, is recuperating at the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center, following surgery by Dean Richardson, D.V.M., who was cast into the national spotlight for his work with Barbaro.

But a second horse, Arthur Hancock's seven-year-old Wanderin Boy, had to be euthanized after shattering sesamoid bones in the same day’s featured race, the Hill 'n' Dale Cigar Mile (G1).

Both breakdowns occurred just weeks after state officials touted New York’s tracks for setting an industry safety standard, with fatality rates well below the national average for dirt and artificial surfaces.

“Race day exams detected no sign of a problem with either horse,” New York State Racing and Wagering Board spokesman Joseph Mahoney said. “The jockeys in both cases noted no problem. They were very different types of breakdowns.

Other trainers said they do not believe track conditions were responsible for either injury.

“The track seemed safe,” said Barclay Tagg, whose horse Tale of Ekati won the Cigar Mile by disqualification of first-place finisher Harlem Rocker. “I took a good look at it and watched some of the earlier races. If I thought it was dangerous I wouldn’t have run a horse of this value. I was lucky I didn’t have anything happen. You never know."

Nick Zito, Wanderin Boy's trainer, was not immediately available for comment.

WANDERIN BOY Adam Coglianese/NYRA photo

Wanderin Boy was the 19th fatality at a New York Racing Association track this year. NYRA runs Aqueduct, Belmont Park, and Saratoga Race Course. Prior to Saturday’s incidents, NYRA had a fatality rate of 1.14 horses per 1,000 starts, compared to national averages of 1.47 and 2.03 per 1,000 on artificial and dirt surfaces, respectively.

Two years ago, 40 horses suffered fatal injuries at NYRA tracks.

Springside’s injury became evident after she crossed the finish line to win the Demoiselle by 9 1/2 lengths. She suffered multiple fractures of the right front long pastern bone.

The filly, trained by Josie Carroll, is expected to be at New Bolton for at least eight weeks. Richardson performed surgery there on Monday, requiring eight screws and a fiberglass cast.

New Bolton spokesperson Jennifer Rench declined comment about the filly’s prognosis and racing future, pending consultation with owners James and Alice Sapara of Alberta, Canada.

Paul Post is a New York-based Thoroughbred Times correspondent