Spurious Precision euthanized after fracturing knee

Spurious Precision, the undefeated winner of the Grade 2 Saratoga Special on

August 12, was euthanized Tuesday morning. The two-year-old, who was preparing

for the Grade 1 Champagne on October 6, suffered a fractured left knee during a

workout at Aqueduct Monday. The preliminary diagnosis indicated the injury might

be repaired surgically, and he was sent to the Hogan Equine Clinic in Cream

Ridge, New Jersey, but additional X-rays revealed extensive damage to the bone

structure of the knee.

"He went a mile Monday and he looked super," trainer Rick Violette Jr. said.

"But (exercise rider Rodney Payne) felt his stride change as they finished the

work, and he pulled him up right away. The horse ambulance brought him back to

the barn, and after looking at the initial X-rays, there was some hope that

surgery was an option. We sent him down to Dr. Patricia Hogan, but the

comprehensive set of X-rays taken at the clinic showed that, in addition to a

slab fracture, he had significant damage that could not be repaired."