NEWS
Global Hunter breaks down following American Handicap win
Posted: Sunday, July 04, 2010 8:48 PM
GLOBAL HUNTER
Benoit & Associates photo
For video of the American Handicap, click here.
by Tim Nichols
Elation morphed into extreme concern just seconds after the $150,000 American Handicap (G2) concluded on Sunday at Hollywood Park.
Almost immediately after scoring a game victory, Global Hunter (Arg) took a bad step and was pulled up by jockey Brice Blanc. The seven-year-old by Jade Hunter walked into an equine ambulance on his own power, but the Grade 1 winner was later diagnosed with a life-threatening dislocated fetlock. He was reported to be in stable condition and will be re-evaluated in three days.
“He took a bad step. He bobbled and kind of broke down,” Blanc said of the career-ending injury. “He’s all heart. It’s very sad. I can’t believe it because he was going so comfortably.”
Trainer A.C. Avila said that every effort would be made to the save Global Hunter’s life.
Making his 30th career start, Global Hunter relaxed in third under Blanc while Temple City led the field of eight through a half-mile in :49.38 and six furlongs in 1:13.31. Global Hunter made his move into contention in midstretch and accelerated past Temple City to win by a head, moments before Blanc pulled him up after taking a bad step.
Temple City finished a half-length in front of Grade 1-placed Hyades, who finished third.
A multiple group stakes winner in Argentina and the 2006 Polla de Portrillos (Arg-G1) (Argentine Two Thousand Guineas) third-place finisher, Global Hunter improved to eight wins, three seconds, and eight thirds from 30 careers starts and earnings of $611,365 for owners L-Bo Racing and Monte Pyle.
After winning five of 13 starts in Argentina, Global Hunter shipped to the U.S. in 2008 for his five-year-old season. He won three races in three seasons in the U.S., most notably taking the 2009 Eddie Read Handicap (G1) last July at Del Mar.
Bred in Argentina by La Providencia, Global Hunter is one of eight winners from as many starters out of Brazilian Group 1 winner Griffe de Paris (Brz), by Telescopico. He is a half brother to Group 1 winners Lady de Paris and Genereux, group stakes winners House Of Lords and King de Paris, and Group 1 producer Open Secrets.
For an Equibase chart, click here.
Tim Nichols is internet content editor of Thoroughbred Times
READER COMMENTS
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Posted by: Leslie, Chatsworth, CA on July 05, 2010 at 06:27 PM
Heal quickly, Global Hunter! You're a class act and your are in wonderful hands at Alamo Pintado.
The synthetic tracks are producing so many different types of injuries to soft tissue and, from what I have learned, rear leg injuries. Granted, many soft tissue injuries are not catastrophic, but they are career ending. California needs to get rid of synthetic tracks and go back to dirt tracks before we ruin racing in our state. And, racing will be ruined if we don't do something fast.
Heal quickly, Global Hunter!!!!
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Posted by: Sandy, Los Angeles, CA on July 05, 2010 at 04:27 PM
Global Hunter is just the latest beautiful, wonderful animal to suffer a terrible injury on the track. When synthetic tracks were mandated in California it was a grasping-at-straws attempt to eliminate or greatly decrease breakdowns. Results are mixed so it is time to really, seriously ivestigate the reason(s) for so many breakdowns in recent years. Is it year-round racing? Inbreeding? Liberal use of drugs? Somebody needs to take this seriously. The public doesn't have the stomach for the carnage.
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