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Kantharos injured, retired

Kantharos was a brilliant winner in all three career starts (Churchill Downs/Reed Palmer Photography) KANTHAROS (Lion Heart), the early season leader among juvenile colts on the East Coast following daylight wins in the Saratoga Special S. (G2) and Bashford Manor S. (G3), has been retired after suffering a career-ending injury while galloping out during a workout at Saratoga on Monday. A press release sent out by owner Stonestreet Stables described the injury as a fracture, but no specific details were provided. "This horse is a magnificent athlete," Stonestreet owner Jess Jackson said. "We are stunned, shocked and terribly saddened by this awful event. At the same time we are hoping that this injury will heal completely. At this point, his prognosis for a healthy recovery is good, but in any case, his racing career is over."

The retirement of Kantharos was another blow for the connections, coming soon after their reigning Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra (Medaglia d'Oro) was upset as the heavy favorite in Sunday's Personal Ensign S. (G1).

"This was a tragic and unforeseeable event," trainer Steve Asmussen said. "The brilliance that he had shown was a foretaste of his limitless potential. Right now we are following his progress closely."

Wide margins of victory were the norm during Kantharos' brief career. Opening up his ledger with an 11 3/4-length score in the slop at Churchill Downs on May 13, the chestnut next strutted home by 9 1/2 lengths in the July 3 Bashford Manor despite stumbling at the start. He concluded his career with a 7 1/4-length romp in the August 16 Saratoga Special, and had been pointing to the October 9 Champagne S. (G1) at the time of his retirement. Kantharos bankrolled $185,213.

A $250,000 OBS two-year-old in training purchase in March, Kantharos is out of the winning Contessa Halo (Southern Halo). That makes him a half-brother to Grade 3 victor Ikigai (Whywhywhy) as well as a 2010 filly by Speightstown. Also hailing from this family are Grade 1 winners First Samurai (Giant's Causeway) and A Huevo (Cool Joe), this year's Strub S. (G2) winner Jeranimo (Congaree) and Grade 3 vixen Sky Blue Pink (Strawberry Road [Aus]).

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