Chief's Crown euthanized after second leg injury

MIDWAY, Ky. (AP) -- Chief's Crown, winner of the first Breeders' Cup Juvenile in 1984 and sire of Kentucky Derby contender Concerto, was euthanized Tuesday after re-injuring a fractured patella.
Chief's Crown, standing at Three Chimneys Farm, originally injured the patella Sunday in his paddock and Dr. Larry Bramlage performed surgery to repair the damage. But Chief's Crown re-injured the patella Tuesday and the damaged joint was "found not to be repairable," said Robert Clay, the syndicate manager for the horse.
"He was euthanized early this afternoon," Clay said in a statement a few hours after Three Chimneys held a 20-year reunion to celebrate Seattle Slew's Triple Crown season of 1977.
"Chief's Crown gave 150 percent every time he went to the racetrack and every day of his life at Three Chimneys Farm," farm general manager Dan Rosenberg said. "We thank all the people who supported him, and we will all sorely miss him."
Chief's Crown ranked eighth among leading sires in 1997, with his leading money-earner being Concerto. Chief's Crown had 12 career victories and earned $2,191,168.
Chief's Crown was second in the 1985 Preakness and third in the Kentucky Derby and Belmont.

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