Trotter collapses and dies after winning race at Perry County Fair

Blood and urine samples from a two-year-old trotter that collapsed and died after winning the fourth race at he Perry County Fair Tuesday are being sent to the University of Illinois School of Veterinary Medicine.

They may offer little or no insight into what caused the tragic death of the horse "Our Game", owned by Thomas Throgmorton of Carbondale and trained by Joe Haught.

Racing director Ron Burgdorf said Our Game had just beaten five horses in the field. It was both his first race and his first win. The horse held great promise for the Throgmorton Stable.

The horse went down on the back side of the track while it was being turned to head back to te front of the grandstand for the trophy presentation.

Much of what followed was out of sight of fairgoers in the grandstand as a Pinckneyville Ambulance Service ambulance and another vehicle closed off the area as a matter privacy. Fair personnel carefully turned the horse over onto a sheet of plywood and a nearby forklift was used to carry the animal off the track.

Trainer Joe Haught and the Throgmortons were heart broken by the sudden death of the horse. Most close to the incident think the horse probably suffered a heart attack of an aneurism.

Burgdorf extended his deep appreciation for everyone's help.