Fast Break

Horse racing

Barbaro’s battle comes to end

Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro was euthanized Monday after complications from his gruesome breakdown at last year’s Preakness Stakes, ending an eight-month ordeal that prompted an outpouring of support across the country.

A series of ailments – including laminitis in the left rear hoof, an abscess in the right rear hoof, as well as new laminitis in both front feet – proved too much for the gallant colt. The horse was put down at 7:30 a.m. PST.

Barbaro battled in his ICU stall for eight months. The 4-year-old colt underwent several procedures and was fitted with fiberglass casts. He spent time in a sling to ease pressure on his legs, had pins inserted and was fitted at the end with an external brace. All were extraordinary measures for a horse with such injuries.

“Clearly, this was a difficult decision to make,” said chief surgeon Dr. Dean Richardson. “It hinged on what we said all along, whether or not we thought his quality of life was acceptable. The probable outcome was just so poor.”

College football

Cal’s stadium upgrade blocked

Plans to upgrade Cal’s Memorial Stadium and build a new, $125 million sports training center stalled Monday with a judge blocking construction following opposition by neighbors and city officials.

The project at the University of California, Berkeley, has been the subject of several lawsuits, including claims that it’s not safe to build so close to the Hayward fault, which runs beneath the stadium.

In issuing a preliminary injunction, Alameda County Superior Court Judge Barbara Miller said opponents’ environmental and seismic- related challenges were strong enough to justify a preliminary injunction until a trial can be held.

Another point of contention is a grove of oak trees that would be cut down to make way for construction. That prompted a nearly two-month tree-sit by protesters.

“This is not the end of the project by any means,” said campus spokeswoman Marie Felde. “The judge is concerned about many issues, but we believe our concern for improving the safety of student athletes should outweigh concerns about trees and other issues.”