87' Derby Winner Euthanized

Alysheba, winner of the 1987 Kentucky Derby and Preakness and horse of the year in 1988, has died. The champion stallion was 25.

Dubbed "America's Horse" by racing fans, Alysheba was euthanized Friday night following a fall in his stall at the Kentucky Horse Park's Hall of Champions in Lexington, Ky., where he was buried yesterday.

The son of racing legend Alydar became a sensation for trainer Jack Van Berg and owners Dorothy and Pamela Scharbauer during a brilliant career that included a win in the 1988 Breeders' Cup Classic. He retired as horse racing's all-time money winner with more than $6.6 million in earnings from 11 victories in 26 lifetime starts.

Hall of Fame jockey Chris McCarron, who piloted Alysheba to victory in the first two legs of the Triple Crown, called him "the most talented horse I ever rode."

The talent became evident during Alysheba's stirring Derby win over Bet Twice. He stumbled at the top of the stretch before catching himself to run down his rival in the final yards.

Only upon replay did McCarron realize how close his trip had come to disaster.

"Falling didn't even go through my mind," McCarron said. "I kept thinking there's only one horse left in front of us that was going to prevent us from getting the roses. He just did an incredible job of righting himself. I was focused on keeping my balance and trying to stay on his back."

Alysheba backed up the Derby win by taking the Preakness. His bid for a Triple Crown ended with a disappointing fourth-place finish in the Belmont, a rare dull performance from a horse who won fans over with his consistency and durability.

"He always ran his race," McCarron said. "You could count on him giving his best effort, even if he got in trouble or the track condition wasn't to his liking."

-- FLORIDA DERBY: Once a Kentucky Derby afterthought, Quality Road might be the one to beat in the Run for the Roses.

Quality Road held off previously unbeaten Dunkirk in the stretch to win the Grade I Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park, giving the colt his second graded stakes win in as many starts.

The two favorites went head-to-head in the stretch, and when Quality Road sprung ahead, he was there for good.

Full Chart, D4

-- DUBAI WORLD CUP: Well Armed ran away with the $6 million race by a record 14 lengths and claimed the richest prize in horse racing in an upset that left favorites Albertus Maximus and Asiatic Boy deep in the pack.

The 6-year-old, trained by Eoin Harty and ridden by Aaron Gryder, led from the early stages of the 1 1/4 -mile race and charged ahead in the final 600 yards, extending his lead with every stride. Brazil-bred Gloria de Campeao was the distant runner-up, with Saudi-owned Paris Perfect third. Albertus Maximus and Asiatic Boy, last year's runner-up, never seriously challenged for the lead.