LOUISVILLE, Ky. — For the second time on Derby Day, a horse has been euthanized at Churchill Downs. David Grening, with the Daily Racing Form, says Freezing Point had to be euthanized after the Pat Day Mile.

According to Grening, the horse suffered an injury to its left front leg. He was being ridden by jockey Corey Lanerie.

Since April 27, seven horses have died at Churchill Downs. Earlier Saturday, Chloe’s Dream, injured its knee after the second race on Derby Day. The 3-year-old gelding was taken off the track in an ambulance and euthanized. 

Trainer Jeff Hiles confirmed the injury to the Associated Press saying, “He just took a bad step out there,” Hiles said. “They could do the same thing running in the field as they could on the track. So it’s very unfortunate. That’s what we deal with.”

“It’s concerning, and I hope they’re quickly trying the best they can to correct whatever’s going on,” said racing fan Michael Freeze. “They need to do whatever is best for the horses, and the sport in general.”

Earlier in the week, Churchill Downs addressed four of the fatalities. The organization said two horses — Wild On Ice and Take Charge Brianna — sustained injuries and were euthanized for humane reasons. Chasing Artie and Parents Pride, the two other horses, died of unknown causes. Both were trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., who was suspended indefinitely from the Derby and other Churchill Downs races.

A fifth horse, Code of Kings, died after an accident in his paddock last Saturday.

“There’s something going on,” said Pat Murtha, who was attending his first Derby. “They need to find out, and set some rules and regulations to protect these animals.”

New anti-doping and medication rules enforced by a central governing body of the sport are scheduled to take effect May 22, after the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness are over.

The injuries and deaths are part of the dizzying prelude for a star-crossed Derby. Early Saturday, the race lost its early favorite when Forte scratched with a bruised foot. Mike Repole, Forte’s co-owner, said veterinarians from the Kentucky Horse racing Commission made the diagnosis and deemed the horse ineligible. Repole said the colt developed the bruise a few days ago.

The horse stumbled during his workout Thursday, although trainer Todd Pletcher had downplayed it publicly.

“We did X-rays, we brought in vets, the state vets came in and they watched him every single day,” Repole said in the interview. “He’s fine. He probably needs a couple more days (to recover).”

Pletcher still has two horses running in the Derby: Tapit Trice and Kingsbarns.

“It doesn’t make me happy to see a horse get euthanized,” said racegoer Joe Conforto, wearing jockey goggles and a stuffed horse on his head. “But I think a lot of it is bad luck. Most race horses are taken better care of than human beings.”

Forte is the fifth horse to be scratched from the race, whittling down the Run for the Roses to a field of just 18 thoroughbreds. Practical Move, Lord Miles, Continuar and Skinner were the four other horses scratched in recent days. Practical Move and Skinner had fevers, while Continuar wasn’t in peak condition, according to his Japanese trainer. Lord Miles was Joseph’s Derby horse.

Forte was last year’s 2-year-old champion and has a five-race winning streak.

“You can only be a 3-year-old colt on the first Saturday in May one time in your life,” Repole said. “I feel bad for the horse.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.