Rock N Soil Farms had high hopes for their 2-year old field worm, So Soil Me, as the promising worm's training preparations began Monday for the Twelve Inch Futurity. But excitment and anticipation turned to horror Monday when a flock of speckled starlings in search of food suddenly dive bombed So Soil Me's trainer, Bart Johnson. Johnson was knocked unconscious by the frenzied birds and So Soil Me, who was being carried from the training track to his stall, was thrown from Johnson's grip. Groom Gary Jordan and five other stable hands chased the birds away with pitchforks, but in the confusion So Soil Me was lost. It is feared that he was carried off by the birds to feed their young.
A representative for Rock N Soil Farms said the family was grief stricken but they are not going to give up hope. A massive search for So Soil Me is currently taking place and the family is offering a $10,000 reward for his safe return. Johnson was transported to Mercy Hospital where he was treated and released for minor injuries.