Amid the festivity and anticipation of the 2011 Kentucky Derby is a bit of tragic news–Devil May Care, the filly who ran in the 2010 Derby was euthanized on Wednesday. The 3 time Grade 1 stakes race winner was diagnosed with a virulent form of cancer known as lymphosarcoma.
The four year old filly had been relocated from to Kentucky from Florida earlier this year and was diagnosed at Louisville’s Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital under the care of Dr. Johanna Reimer. She’ll be cremated after a necropsy and her ashes spread at owner John Greathouse’s Glencrest Farm in Midway, Kentucky.
Devil May Care was a popular choice in Kentucky Derby betting at the 2010 race, going off at odds of 12-1. She would eventually finish 10th in the huge 20 horse field. She missed the 2010 Breeder’s Cup after being diagnosed with hepatitis.
Owner John Greathouse issued the following statement announcing her death:
“To all who have followed and been a part of Devil May Care’s racing life and her fight for life, she and I wish to thank and applaud all of you. The racing was a thrill and one not to be forgotten or dismissed out of hand. To this day I don’t believe we ever saw her best race. But that is my opinion and will be saved for my memories.”
“To those who cared for her and her health, we both thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We tried very hard, only to be overcome by lymphosarcoma, an enemy that we couldn’t beat. We entered a race we couldn’t win.
“In an ironic twist, a year ago today she was busy drawing post position 11 for the 136th Kentucky Derby. She was our shining star.”
Greathouse purchased Devil May Care for $110,000 at the 2008 Keeneland September yearling sale. She won 5 of 9 races in her career earning $724,000. Among these victories were the Grade 1 Frizette Stakes, the Grade 1 American Oaks, the Grade 1 Mother Goose and the Grade 2 Bonnie Miss. In addition to her 10th place finish in the 2010 Kentucky Derby she ran 11th in the 2009 Breeder’s Cup Juvenile. She was trained for most of her career by 2010 Kentucky Derby winning trainer Todd Pletcher.