Tabasco Cat, winner of the 1994 Preakness and Belmont Stakes, has died in Japan of a heart attack.
The 13-year-old thoroughbred was in the breeding shed at Shizunai Stallion Station in northern Japan and suddenly collapsed Saturday morning, said Kenji Akada, an official at the Japan Bloodstock Breeders’ Association said. There was no sign of illness, Akada said.
Pat Day rode the chestnut thoroughbred to victory in two 1994 Triple Crown races, beating out Kentucky Derby winner Go for Gin at both the Preakness and Belmont. Tabasco Cat also nearly won the Breeders’ Cup Classic that year.
Tabasco Cat, trained by D. Wayne Lukas, was retired after his 3-year-old season with eight wins in 18 starts and earnings of $2,347,671.
– British racing is under scrutiny on two new fronts. Steeplechase rider Sean Fox was suspended for 21 days for jumping off his horse during a race, and four people were charged with trying to run a lame horse as part of a betting scam.
