Sports commentator Jim Rome's co-owned horse, Shared Belief, was injured during the running of the $1.5 Million Charles Town Classic at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races in Charles Town, W. Va.
Jockey Mike Smith eased Shared Belief after noticing something was wrong with the 4-year-old gelding when he stumbled at the start.
“He seemed to slip in behind, wasn’t comfortable,” Smith told The Buffalo News. “The safe thing do at that point was to make sure we got back in one piece, you could just tell he was uncomfortable.”
Smith led Shared Belief, the 1-5 favorite, to the equine ambulance after the race.
Shared Belief walked into van under his own power. State vet saying just slight swelling in stifle. Great move on part of Mike Smith.
— Mike Penna (@HRRNBaron) April 18, 2015.@HRRNBaron reporting that Shared Belief may have slight swelling in his stifle. pic.twitter.com/iyxEIqBik0
— Americas Best Racing (@ABRLive) April 18, 2015Mike is in tears just as well as America is! Prayers is needed right now!
Posted by Shared Belief on Saturday, April 18, 2015
The No. 6 horse, Moreno, won the 1 1/8-mile race in a track record 1 minute, 48.81 seconds.