With a City dies from unknown illness

With a City winning the Lane’s End, one month before his tragic death (James Crisp/Horsephotos.com)

Lane’s End S. (G2) winner WITH A CITY (City Zip) died Sunday morning due
to a mysterious illness. Trainer Mike Maker said the colt, who was
stabled at Churchill Downs’ Trackside training center, fell ill on
Thursday with an unknown ailment and his health quickly deteriorated.
The chestnut was taken to the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute in
Lexington, Kentucky, on Friday, but his condition worsened and the
decision to euthanize him was made Sunday morning.

“They treated him for everything and ran tests on everything,” Maker
said. “They just don’t know at this time. Hopefully, a necropsy will
tell us more, but their feeling right now is that they’re not so sure
that they’re going to be able to tell.”

With a City earned a berth to the Kentucky Derby (G1) for owner Ron
Peltz after a stunning victory in the Lane’s End S. on March 25 as the
48-1 longshot. Most recently, he ran last in the April 15 Arkansas Derby
(G2) by 51 1/4 lengths.

“We’re just thankful we had the opportunity while we had it,” Maker
said. “Hopefully we’ll get another one down the road, either from Mr.
Peltz or from somebody else.”

Maker said With a City had trained well since his return to Arkansas
and that they would have run him in the Kentucky Derby despite his
finish in the Arkansas Derby.