Unknown illness claims With a City

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Kentucky Derby contender With a City was euthanized Sunday after his condition from an unknown illness deteriorated.

Trainer Mike Maker said the colt became ill Thursday. He was taken to the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute in Lexington on Friday, but his condition worsened, Maker said.

“They treated him for everything and ran tests on everything,” Maker said in a statement. “They just don’t know at this time. Hopefully, a necropsy will tell us more, but their feeling right now is that they’re not so sure that they’re going to be able to tell.”

Maker said officials may not be able to determine what illness killed the Derby contender.

Equirace.com owned With a City, who would have been the first Kentucky Derby starter for Maker. The colt, a 49-1 long shot, won the $500,000 Lane’s End at Turfway Park on March 25, but finished last in the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park April 15. The son of City Zip had been stabled at Churchill Downs and was expected to compete in the Derby on May 6.

Equirace.com owner Ron Peltz purchased the Florida-bred colt earlier this year. With a City took in $359,680 with four wins in 13 races in his career.

“He was absolutely a picture of health one minute and gone the next,” Maker said.