Rock Fall suffers fatal breakdown at Keeneland

Rock Fall, who was expected to be among the favorites for the $1.5 million TwinSpires.com Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) on October 31, suffered a fatal breakdown during training hours at Keeneland Saturday morning.

“We are heartbroken to confirm our Rock Fall sustained a life ending training injury this morning at Keeneland,”owner Stonestreet Farm stated via Twitter.

According to several eyewitnesses, the breakdown occurred just past the finish line as Rock Fall was galloping out after working in company. He was credited with a five-furlong move in 1:02.80, breezing.

Bred in Kentucky by SF Bloodstock, the four-year-old son of Speightstown was trained by Todd Pletcher and had earnings of $749,180.

After finishing eighth by 16 lengths in his debut at Gulfstream in April 2014, Rock Fall concluded his career with seven consecutive wins. He rebounded from that initial loss to break his maiden by 9 1/4 lengths and win a  first-level allowance by 3 1/4 lengths, both over six furlongs at Belmont.

Rock Fall returned to action this past March 15 following a layoff of 9 1/2 months, beating second-level allowance company at Gulfstream by a length. He romped by nine lengths over allowance foes at Keeneland the following month, and then captured the True North (G2) at Belmont by 3 3/4 lengths in his stakes debut June 5.

Rock Fall’s final two victories were narrow: a nose win over The Big Beast in the Alfred G. Vanderbilt (G1) at Saratoga and a neck decision over Salutos Amigos in the September 26 Vosburgh (G1) at Belmont.

Rock Fall was scheduled to stand stud at WinStar Farm after the Breeders’ Cup.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

(Rock Fall photo: NYRA/Adam Coglianese)