DUNKIRK TO HAVE SURGERY, FULL RECOVERY EXPECTED
Dunkirk, the second-place finisher in the June 6 Belmont Stakes, suffered a non-displaced condylar fracture of the left hind cannon bone during last Saturday’s running of the 1 ½ - mile Classic. The injury was detected when the colt was slightly off following the race, and x-rays taken June 8 revealed the fracture.
“He will have surgery later this morning to place a screw into the area which will stabilize the injury while it heals,” said Todd Pletcher, trainer of Dunkirk. “We anticipate a full recovery and a return to racing later this fall.”
The surgery will be performed at the Ruffian Equine Medical Center in Elmont, NY by Dr. Patricia Hogan.
Dunkirk, owned by Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith, was a $3.7 million Keeneland September yearling sale purchase. Sired by multiple graded stakes winner Unbridled’s Song, he led the field in this year’s Belmont, setting the pace under jockey John Velazquez. He finished 2 ¾ lengths behind eventual winner Summer Bird and a neck ahead of Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird.
The Belmont was the fifth start for Dunkirk, who ran an impressive second to Quality Road in the Florida Derby after scoring back to back wins at Gulfstream Park.
Tags: belmont stakes, dunkirk, Elmont, Patricia Hogan, ruffian equine medical center
June 9th, 2009 at 9:25 am
It again shows the wear and tear that this marathon has on the equine athlete. In Pletcher’s barn, though, he may be taking a look at Monmouth Park and now have Lord Justice penciled in as the late-summer runner for one of the major stakes if he comes up big in what should be an appearance in a “mid-major” stakes event in July.
June 9th, 2009 at 9:49 am
This is too bad, although I’m glad it looks like he’ll be okay. People have always said this horse was overhyped, but he ran a brave race in the Belmont.
Although a bunch of us watching the race were excited that Summer Bird won it for his breeders, Dunkirk’s future fall campaign was what we were really excited about.
June 9th, 2009 at 10:10 am
I was one of those that thought Dunkirk was over-rated, but he completely won me over with his heart. I hope he has an absolutely boring, predictable recovery so we can see him run again. Beautiful, courageous horse.
June 9th, 2009 at 10:30 am
Yet another overhyped, overpriced Unbridled’s Song that didn’t last. I could not out figure what people saw in him other than he was pretty. I also thought it interesting that Pletcher was going easy on him the week before the Belmont. Hmmm. I was very surprised he ran second. They say now that he’ll be back, but don’t bet on it.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:01 am
I will pray for his recovery. for his sake …he is one of my favorites…hopefully he won’t race again and finds a new career.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:25 am
There’s a reason they call him UNSOUND SONG!
June 9th, 2009 at 11:29 am
And yet, they’ll be lined up to breed to him while Summer Bird sits idle.
June 9th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
in reply to Lin: :…hopefully he won’t race again and finds a new career.”
And what career would that be other than as a stallion? Another unsound stallion to make more unsound babies. Just what the industry needs.
June 9th, 2009 at 12:29 pm
to mr.a: Amen!
June 9th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
This bloodline is plagued. US should be removed from the pool.
June 9th, 2009 at 1:31 pm
another A-bomb, barely averted. B 4f, B 5f, B4f, nothing for a week, sprint 1.5 miles.
June 9th, 2009 at 3:58 pm
US is a gorgeous horse with great bone, but he sure doesn’t seem to pass it to his babies with any reliability. On the other hand, could his babies just be more suseptable to the stupid practices of Lasix and such, that decrease bone strength? I wonder how strong the U. S. TB would become if we banned Lasix and most of the other stuff we think we can’t do without. They manage just fine in Japan, Korea, and Germany. Why not here? It would certainly weed out the loser breeding stock in a hurry, wouldn’t it?
I like Dunkirk. I think he has heart and talent. I wouldn’t breed to him, though. He’s unsound after only five starts and I can’t stand his owners. I’m glad they got soaked for another few million dollars (The Green Monkey, anyone?) - not that they’ll notice.
June 9th, 2009 at 5:03 pm
Wow, an unsound Unbridled Song? What a surprise.
June 9th, 2009 at 6:33 pm
I wish the connections the best of all possible outcomes. To Dunkirk, a horse that certainly shows he has heart(anyone think a stress fracture was already cookin’?)…I wish him a decent, kind life with longevity.
It only helps me think that the little gelding is one tough horse….he showed up for all three races and was in the money. Still waiting for the updates on MTB, but was impressed with the little engine that did, almost did and certainly showed up (even with the debatable ride in the Belmont).
Gotta love the racehorse and the stories behind each and every one of them.
p.s. Is UB part of the Paragallo soap opera? Unbridled Song? Unbridled’s Song?…so many horses and connections makes it hard to keep up.
June 9th, 2009 at 6:36 pm
Sorry. Reread the piece and it is the Paragllo(part owner?) stallion…was looking at posts and got confused. I apologize for the stupid question.
Best wishes Dunkirk…
June 10th, 2009 at 6:33 am
Five races and broke. Probably off to the breeding shed. How many times does this mistake have to be repeated before anybody learns from it?