LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Odanis Acuna, an exercise rider for trainer Kenny McPeek, suffered fatal injuries Saturday at Churchill Downs when the horse he was breezing before dawn broke down in both front legs.
Acuna incurred head and neck injuries that proved fatal, said McPeek.
Acuna, a 42-year-old native of Cuba, had worked for McPeek for about 10 years. He also worked for a local horse-feed company.
“Obviously, everyone is extremely upset about this,” he said. “Odanis was a fantastic person and one of the hardest-working people you'll ever meet. It's a real tragedy.”