The executive director of the Louisiana State Racing Commission (LSRC) said July 23 state veterinarians who examined Monzante following his breakdown in a July 20 race at Evangeline Downs Racetrack, Casino, & Hotel determined the horse was salvageable but that his trainer and a private veterinarian apparently made the decision to euthanize the 9-year-old gelding.

Charles Gardiner, the LSRC executive director, said that Monzante, a grade I winner earlier in his career, was stabilized on the track by a state veterinarian after being pulled up during the claiming race and returned to the barn of owner/trainer Jackie W. Thacker. The Equibase chart states that Monzante chased the early pace in the one-mile-and-70-yard race before stopping. He was eventually euthanized.

"He was stabilized, and in the opinion of the state veterinarians he was very salvageable," Gardiner said. "The decision to euthanize was made at the barn by the trainer and a private veterinarian."

Because Monzante had previously been placed on the veterinarian’s watch list, the gelding underwent intensive scrutiny by state vets prior to his final start, Gardiner said