Post by Lizanna Foglak on Dec 4, 2005 12:22:02 GMT -5
Afleet Alex retired with new leg injury
"Dual classic winner Afleet Alex has been retired after developing a new injury to his left foreleg that may be related to the condylar fracture that sidelined him in late July.
No stud plans have been announced.
Afleet Alex had not raced since his victory in the Belmont Stakes (G1) on June 11. He underwent surgery in late July following detection of the condylar fracture of the cannon bone in his left front leg.
The Florida-bred colt resumed training and worked twice at Belmont Park this fall before a problem area near the fracture was detected, prompting trainer Tim Ritchey and owner Cash is King Stable to withdraw him from consideration for the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1).
“The condylar fracture was healed by the seventh week but by the 13th week I started to see this subtle change in bone density that was in the shape of a wedge,” said Dr. Patricia Hogan, who performed the surgery for the condylar fracture at the New Jersey Equine Clinic. “The last four weeks where he was doing very little, it actually became more apparent," she said. "So I think it was a slow process where the blood supply diminished in this section of bone. It’s unfortunately in a spot where I don’t feel comfortable giving them the green light that he could ever be normal. I think it’s a permanent change in the density and structure of that bone.”
Afleet Alex won the Preakness by 4¾ lengths and Belmont by seven lengths after finishing third to Giacomo in the Kentucky Derby (G1). The son of Northern Afleet also won the 2004 Hopeful Stakes (G1) and Sanford Stakes (G2) and ’05 Arkansas Derby (G2). He finished second in the 2004 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) and Champagne Stakes (G1).
“We’re all very grateful to have had this horse and have him put us where we were as far as winning the two classic races,” Ritchey said. “It’s emotional because he’s not going to be in my barn anymore. It’s a pleasure to walk in the barn and see him. To be around greatness is a special thing.”
Chuck Zacney, managing partner of Cash is King, stressed that the injury was the only factor in the decision to retire Afleet Alex, who becomes the seventh dual classic winner since 1994 to go to stud before they could race as four-year-olds.
“It’s premature,” Zacney said. “We certainly hoped this day would not come so early. We were anticipating racing him another year and then sending him to the breeding shed. It’s very, very disappointing, but there’s no other alternative. We’ve been getting offers [to buy] Afleet Alex from day one and we did not accept one of them. I can honestly say that our love of racing is why we were looking for a four-year-old campaign. Unfortunately, it’s not going to happen due to circumstances out of our control. Alex’s health always goes first.”
Afleet Alex retires with eight wins in 12 career starts and earnings of $2,765,800."
Source: Thoroughbred Times
"Dual classic winner Afleet Alex has been retired after developing a new injury to his left foreleg that may be related to the condylar fracture that sidelined him in late July.
No stud plans have been announced.
Afleet Alex had not raced since his victory in the Belmont Stakes (G1) on June 11. He underwent surgery in late July following detection of the condylar fracture of the cannon bone in his left front leg.
The Florida-bred colt resumed training and worked twice at Belmont Park this fall before a problem area near the fracture was detected, prompting trainer Tim Ritchey and owner Cash is King Stable to withdraw him from consideration for the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1).
“The condylar fracture was healed by the seventh week but by the 13th week I started to see this subtle change in bone density that was in the shape of a wedge,” said Dr. Patricia Hogan, who performed the surgery for the condylar fracture at the New Jersey Equine Clinic. “The last four weeks where he was doing very little, it actually became more apparent," she said. "So I think it was a slow process where the blood supply diminished in this section of bone. It’s unfortunately in a spot where I don’t feel comfortable giving them the green light that he could ever be normal. I think it’s a permanent change in the density and structure of that bone.”
Afleet Alex won the Preakness by 4¾ lengths and Belmont by seven lengths after finishing third to Giacomo in the Kentucky Derby (G1). The son of Northern Afleet also won the 2004 Hopeful Stakes (G1) and Sanford Stakes (G2) and ’05 Arkansas Derby (G2). He finished second in the 2004 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) and Champagne Stakes (G1).
“We’re all very grateful to have had this horse and have him put us where we were as far as winning the two classic races,” Ritchey said. “It’s emotional because he’s not going to be in my barn anymore. It’s a pleasure to walk in the barn and see him. To be around greatness is a special thing.”
Chuck Zacney, managing partner of Cash is King, stressed that the injury was the only factor in the decision to retire Afleet Alex, who becomes the seventh dual classic winner since 1994 to go to stud before they could race as four-year-olds.
“It’s premature,” Zacney said. “We certainly hoped this day would not come so early. We were anticipating racing him another year and then sending him to the breeding shed. It’s very, very disappointing, but there’s no other alternative. We’ve been getting offers [to buy] Afleet Alex from day one and we did not accept one of them. I can honestly say that our love of racing is why we were looking for a four-year-old campaign. Unfortunately, it’s not going to happen due to circumstances out of our control. Alex’s health always goes first.”
Afleet Alex retires with eight wins in 12 career starts and earnings of $2,765,800."
Source: Thoroughbred Times