A pair of equine children being raced for the very first time broke down over the weekend: Saturday at Thistledown, 3-year-old Matched Ruler crumpled in the 8th; Sunday at Monmouth, 2-year-old Souper Arch dropped in the 4th. The former was ridden by Kevin Gonzalez, trained by David Hunt, and owned by Charles Golden; the latter by Angel Serpa, Michael Trombetta, and Live Oak Plantation.
Also, Friday at Retama, 4-year-old Strategic Player broke down in the 5th. In his penultimate start, July 24th at Fair Meadows, Strategic Player “was never close, pulled up in distress.” Apparently, owner Danny Keene thought a change of trainer would help – from Shea Stuart in July to Allen Milligan Friday. Apparently, he was wrong.
