Four horses have died at Churchill Downs over the past five days, overshadowing this year’s Kentucky Derby. Two were horses trained by Saffie Joseph Jr. Two others had musculoskeletal injuries and were euthanized after being transported to Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital. Joel Marr’s Wild on Ice was being prepared for the Derby when he fractured his hind leg and was put down. There is little public information regarding Kentucky’s transparency with regaling horses’ injuries, deaths or which horses have died during Derby training. In a statement, Churchill Downs expressed concern and stated that officials would press for answers. The fact that the deaths happened in different manners points to stall factors being the cause – not just the racing surface. Meanwhile, as the race itself approaches, all focus has been shifted to who will win, who to bet on and who has the best hat.