Freezing Point euthanized during the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs

A seventh horse died Saturday at Churchill Downs ahead of the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby. 

In the eighth race of the day, Freezing Point, a 50-1 long shot, pulled up along the back stretch of the dirt track. After leaving the chute, the horse pulled up sharply after taking a bad step near the six-furlong marker. 

Freezing Point was bumped hard by another horse causing his body to turn to the right, while his left leg was planted in the ground, his trainer Joe Lejzerowicz said in a text to the Courier Journal. 

“It was the worst stroke of luck,” Lejzerowicz said. “Freezing Point was completely sound, had no physical issues and had been exercising the best he’s ever trained.”