Sports

DAY MARRED BY UGLY SPILL

Two horses died and their jockeys went to hospital for precautionary X-rays after gruesome spill in fifth race.

Unrestricted, royally bred Darley Stable 3-year-old colt by A.P. Indy out of Gr. 1 winner Composure, was 3-2 favorite after finishing second in Aug. 6 debut at Saratoga for Tom Albertrani. Racing just off pace heading into turn under Javier Castellano, he shattered right front cannon bone and went down; second fatal breakdown in first five days of meet. Gruffles, 3-year-old Dogwood Stable colt making first start since Nov. for Todd Pletcher with John Velazquez up, crashed into stricken horse and fell over him, suffering compound fracture of right front radial (bone above knee).

Unrestricted never got up again; Gruffles did, staggering on three legs around turn to top of stretch, when outrider finally stopped him; both were euthanized on track.

Miraculously, both jockeys walked away, were taken to first aid, then to North Shore Hospital. Velazquez hurt right knee; Castellano had some pain in right ribcage but was otherwise OK.

* Steve Asmussen’s Tiz Wonderful, unbeaten stakes winner as 2-year-old who was vanned off after finishing second in overnight stakes on Wed., suffered potentially life-threatening injury to right hind suspensory in that race, according to Bloodhorse.com, and was sent to New Bolton Center in Pa. for treatment.

* Tomorrow could be big day for Pletcher barn. In Gazelle Stakes, 3-year-old superfilly Rags to Riches returns to races for first time since winning June 9 Belmont Stakes. In Futurity, Pletcher runs likely favorite The Leopard, while fourth race marks belated debut of 16M colt The Green Monkey.

THIRD RACE: In $75,000 Steinlen at seven furlongs on turf, 2-1 favorite Silver Timber, under Cornelio Velasquez, and 4-1 First Word, Rafael Bejarano up, waged furious speed duel, with 5-2 Giant Basil stalking outside under Eddie Castro. Giant Basil bid for lead turning for home, went to front mid-stretch, but could not hold off outside late run of 6-1 Rebellion, Ramon Dominguez up, who notched third straight victory going short on lawn for Graham Motion.

PICK SIX

Winning numbers: 3-4-2-4-3-2

5 winners (6 of 6) each paid $31,363

132 consolation (5 of 6) paid $292.50

No carryover