Sports

DEADLY COLLISION MARS DERBY PREPS

LOUISVILLE — There was a horrifying collision between two horses at Churchill Downs yesterday morning when several Derby contenders were on the track for their final workouts.

Doctor Rap, a 3-year-old colt, threw jockey Tony Farina and charged down the stretch, crashing full-speed into the 2-year-old filly Raspberry Kiss, who was standing by the outer rail near the finish line.

The filly broke her hip and was euthanized; Doctor Rap injured his shoulder. Farina was uninjured, but Raspberry Kiss’s exercise rider, Larry Lague, possibly broke his foot.

Just before the accident, Friesan Fire worked a bullet five furlongs in :57.4 through lightning splits of :11.1, :22.1, :33.3 and :45.1. He slowed down through his six-furlong gallop out in 1:14, which trainer Larry Jones attributed to the colt’s being distracted by the tents at the clubhouse turn.

Pioneerof the Nile, working just before Friesan Fire, went five furlongs in 1:01, out in 1:13.4. His splits were :11.4, :23.4, :36 and :48.3.

Moments after the collision, Chocolate Candy completed five furlongs in :59.1, out in 1:12.4, and Join in the Dance breezed five in 1:00 under Angel Cordero Jr.

Flying Private zipped a half-mile in :47.2, in company. Advice went his half in :47.1, out five furlongs in 1:00. Mine That Bird worked five furlongs in 1:02, and Win Willy went five in 1:02.2, out six in 1:15.3.