Rockport Harbor retired

Rockport Harbor made only two starts this year before an old injury flared-up, leading to his retirement  (Deborah Kral/Horsephotos.com)

Grade 2 winner ROCKPORT HARBOR (Unbridled's Song) has been retired due to a

reoccurring foot injury, owner Rick Porter announced Monday. The flashy gray

colt suffered an injury to his right foot during his fifth-place finish in the

Razorback Breeders' Cup H. (G3) on March 12 at Oaklawn Park. He originally

injured the foot when capturing the 2004 Remsen S. (G2) at Aqueduct.

"The wall of the hoof is cracked and the consensus is that he would need a

minimum of 90 days turnout," Porter said. "It would be another 60-90 days

training if all went well with the turnout to prepare him to race. That puts us

in September and I don't think that is the intelligent choice to make. There are

no guarantees that the foot will heal 100 percent.

"Therefore, I have decided to retire him. I will talk to persons interested

in purchasing him for breeding purposes in the next few days."

At two, Rockport Harbor won all four starts, including the Nashua S.

(G3) and Remsen. He finished second in the Rebel S. (G3) at Oaklawn Park in his

sophomore debut and then went on the shelf after a disappointing sixth in the

Lexington S. (G2) at Keeneland. He returned to action this year in Hot Springs,

Arkansas, winning the Essex H. (G3) by 2 1/4 lengths on February 11.

Rockport Harbor earned $324,800 from a record of 8-5-1-0. He is out of the

stakes winning Copelan mare Regal Miss Copelan, a half-sister to Grade 2

juvenile heroine Regally Appealing (Valid Appeal). Rockport Harbor was purchased

by Porter's Fox Hill Farm for $470,000 at the 2003 Keeneland September Yearling

Sale.