AFLEET ALEX IS RETIRED.Byline: Daily News Staff and Wire Services Preakness and Belmont Stakes Belmont Stakes Oldest of the three U.S. horse races that constitute the Triple Crown. The Belmont originated in 1867 and is named after August Belmont (see Belmont family). The stakes is held in early June at Belmont Park, near Garden City, Long Island; the course is 1.5 mi (2,400 m). winner Afleet Alex Afleet Alex (born May 9, 2002 in Florida) is an American thoroughbred race horse who, in 2005, won two of America's classic races, the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes. was retired Thursday because of a further physical problem, ending the career of the colt whose gritty run in the second leg of the Triple Crown was one of the highlights of the racing season. Reports said Afleet Alex has a condition that causes a loss of blood supply to the bone in his left foreleg. An ankle injury in that leg had sidelined the 3-year-old since his victory in the June 11 Belmont. ``There was no decision at all,'' trainer Tim Ritchey told the Associated Press Associated Press: see news agency. Associated Press (AP) Cooperative news agency, the oldest and largest in the U.S. and long the largest in the world. . ``Once we saw what he had, it was a no-brainer just for his safety and well being.'' Afleet Alex retires with eight wins in 12 starts and earnings of $2,765,800. He nearly became the 12th Triple Crown winner. He and jockey Jeremy Rose Jeremy Rose (born April 1, 1979 in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania) is an American Thoroughbred racehorse jockey. He began his career as a professional rider at Delaware Park in Wilmington, Delaware and in 2001 was voted the United States' Eclipse Award for Outstanding Apprentice Jockey. finished third in the Kentucky Derby Kentucky Derby One of the classic U.S. Thoroughbred horse races. It was established in 1875 and run annually on the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs track in Louisville, Ky. With the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes, it makes up U.S. racing's coveted Triple Crown. , a length behind winner Giacomo; won the Preakness after nearly being knocked down by Scrappy T in the turn for home, and won the Belmont by seven lengths. ``We're all very disappointed and frustrated,'' Cash is King managing partner Chuck Zacney said on the Afleet Alex Web site. ''We were really looking forward to racing Alex next year and to showing just how great a horse he was.'' Ritchey had hoped Afleet Alex would run in the Nov. 26 Cigar Mile at Aqueduct. Santa Anita officials had expected the Florida-bred to star in the Jan. 28 Sunshine Millions Classic The Sunshine Millions Classic is a race for thoroughbred horses held in January at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California or at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida. Half the eight races of the Sunshine Millions are run at one track and half at the other. . CAPTION(S): photo Photo: Afleet Alex, who won the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes this year, was retired Thursday because of physical problems. He won eight times in 12 starts and earned $2,765,800 in his career. Bill Kostroun/Associated Press |
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