PHILADELPHIA — Afleet Alex's gritty recovery to win the Preakness after nearly crumpling to the dirt was a dazzling highlight in the colt's career. The frightening collision also may have played a role in the horse's early retirement.
Afleet Alex was retired Thursday because of a new injury discovered before the horse was shipped to Gulfstream Park in Florida this week. Another ankle injury had already sidelined Afleet Alex since his June 11 victory in the Belmont.
"This injury probably started with that Preakness and, unfortunately, it's been something we haven't seen," trainer Tim Ritchey said. "It's going to take too long to heal and he has to go on to another career where he'll be safe and happy."
Ritchey believes the recently discovered injury started as a bone bruise at the Preakness and caused the fracture in the colt's left front ankle. The fracture has healed. The other injury is basically brittle bone that was once badly bruised, and has slowly lost its blood supply.
"It will heal, but you're looking at six to eight months," Ritchey said. "And with a horse of his value and his credentials, he just needs to be retired and go to stud."
Afleet Alex retires with eight wins in 12 starts and earnings of $2,765,800 for the Cash Is King Stable, and nearly became the sport's 12th Triple Crown winner.
He finished third in the Kentucky Derby by a length, won the Preakness after nearly being knocked down by Scrappy T in the turn for home and won the Belmont by seven lengths. Jockey Jeremy Rose was aboard Afleet Alex for all three Triple Crown races.
"We're all very disappointed and frustrated," Cash is King managing partner Chuck Zacney said on the Afleet Alex Web site.
There is no deal pending on where the colt will stand at stud.