Tragic Loss at Ellis Park: Rising Turf Star Ova Charged Euthanized After Devastating Injury
In a heartbreaking turn of events, the horse racing community is mourning the loss of Ova Charged, a rising turf star who suffered a career-ending injury at Ellis Park on Saturday.
According to a recent statement from the track’s spokesperson, the 6-year-old mare, owned by Evelyn Benoit’s Brittlyn Stable and trained by Shane Wilson, was the 1-2 favorite in the $250,000 Kentucky Downs Preview Ladies Turf Sprint Stakes. While leading the 5 1/2-furlong race on a good turf course, Ova Charged sustained a devastating right fetlock injury at the sixteenth pole, resulting in her euthanasia due to the extent of her injuries.
Ridden by veteran jockey Corey Lanerie, Ova Charged was in the three path between horses in the upper stretch when the incident occurred. Lanerie was able to walk back to the jockeys’ room under his own power, and he went on to ride one more race later on the card.
Sadly, Ova Charged’s promising career was cut short, as she was on the verge of becoming a $1 million earner.
The 6-year-old mare had an impressive record of 19: 15-1-0 with earnings of $918,575, according to Equibase data. She had won seven consecutive races, including the Grade 3 Unbridled Sidney on the Kentucky Oaks undercard, prior to her tragic demise.
This loss is deeply felt within the horse racing community, as Ova Charged was considered a rising star in the turf racing world. The team at Brittlyn Stable and trainer Shane Wilson will undoubtedly feel the weight of this tragedy, as they bid farewell to a beloved and talented equine athlete.
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