Lost in the Fog euthanized

[WildKat]

Champion sprinter Lost in the Fog lost his battle with cancer, as the 4-year-old colt was euthanized Sunday at trainer Greg Gilchrist's Golden Gate Fields barn in Albany, Calif.

"He's just a champion," Gilchrist said in a national conference call. "I'd like people to remember him for what he was, for the great battle he put up."


After Lost in the Fog last month was detected to have three malignant tumors in his spleen and along his spine, Gilchrist brought the colt back to his stable to allow the champ to spend his final weeks in familiar surroundings. Gilchrist vowed all along that Lost in the Fog's life would not be prolonged if the horse were in pain.

"We tried very hard; he did, too," Gilchrist said. "It was just too much to overcome. I do feel good that he was back in his own stall. He was comfortable all the time we had him home."

Gilchrist initially figured Lost in the Fog only had a week to 10 days when he returned the colt to his stable four weeks ago. However, upon the recommendation of equine cancer specialists, Lost in the Fog underwent steroid treatment in an unsuccessful attempt to shrink the tumors. He also had the first of six scheduled chemotherapy treatments on Sept. 7 at the University of California-Davis.

Gilchrist said Lost in the Fog had been out in the sun eating grass Sunday afternoon when the trainer had to leave to saddle a horse in a race. He said he got a call from the barn almost immediately that Lost in the Fog was showing signs of discomfort. With veterinarian Donald Smith attending the colt, the decision was made soon after Gilchrist returned to put Lost in the Fog down.

"I'd seen this happen to him before; it would come out of the blue and hit him," Gilchrist said. "This time it was just different. … I always said when it got too bad, Lost in the Fog would let me know. I think he pretty much did. … It was very emotional. I'm still not over it, and I won't be over it for a long time. In fact, I'll probably never be over it."

Lost in the Fog, a Florida-bred son of Lost Soldier, won his first 10 starts and finished 11 for 14, earning $978,099 as he repeatedly crisscrossed the country to big sprint races. He won the 2005 Eclipse Award as Sprinter of the Year. His last victory came in Churchill Downs' Grade III Aristides Breeders' Cup in June.

Gilchrist said Lost in the Fog will be cremated, with his ashes likely buried at his birthplace in Florida.

Serena's Tune euthanized
Serena's Tune, whose yearling son by Vindication sold for $2.8 million last week at Keeneland, was euthanized several days later at owner John Sikura's Hill 'n' Dale Farms in Lexington, Ky., after sustaining an acute case of laminitis, bloodhorse.com reported.

The 8-year-old Mr. Prospector mare was out of champion Serena's Song and cost $1 million as a yearling. Serena's Tune's other foals included a $1.4 million weanling filly in 2003 and a $3.1 million yearling colt last year.

Jennie Rees can be reached at (502) 582-4042.