The California Horse Racing Board has confirmed three deaths at the Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa:
On July 23rd, 3-year-old Gryphon Gold was euthanized as a result of an injury sustained three days prior at Sacramento. In that race (7th), Gryphon fell “after ducking into the rail.” He was ridden by Silvio Amador. Gryphon’s only other start, two weeks before at Oak Tree (5th race), was also a DNF after he “ducked out leaving the chute, [losing] his rider.” Tim McCanna trained, Russell/Lois Bennett owned.
On July 26th, 5-year-old claimer Rocabar snapped an ankle in the 8th race and was killed. Alejandro Gomez was the rider and William Delia the trainer/owner.
And finally, on July 23rd, a horse named Shocker Topper was felled by a fractured humerus while training. Steve Fisher was the handler. No other information is available.
