Kentucky Derby winner Strike the Gold dies at 23

Kentucky Derby winner Strike the Gold has been euthanized after injuring his left front leg while in his paddock at a stud farm in Turkey.

The Turkish Jockey Club confirmed the death Wednesday to the Daily Racing Form and Bloodhorse websites.

The 1991 Derby winner trained by Hall of Famer Nick Zito had battled laminitis lately but was in good health before injuring his pastern, a part of the leg between the fetlock and the top of the hoof. Strike the Gold was 23.

As a 3-year-old, Strike the Gold won the Blue Grass, then rallied from far back to win the Derby by 1 3/4 lengths over Best Pal (see video below). The chestnut son of Alydar was retired in 1993 after winning six of 31 starts and earning $3.45 million.