For Immediate Release
Contact: Kelly Wietsma
914-261-6379 equisponse@aol.com
Undefeated three-year-old Son of Bernardini
Algorithms Retired
October 15, 2012 – Elmont, NY – Starlight Racing's Algorithms, winner of the Jan. 29 Holly Bull Stakes (gr lll) in his most recent start, has been retired.
Undefeated in three starts including his five-length win in the Holy Bull at Gulfstream Park, which earned the colt an impressive 105 Beyer Speed Figure, the son of Bernardini was considered an early favorite for this year's Kentucky Derby before he fractured a splint bone in his front right leg. The colt was scratched from the Feb 26 Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. ll) the morning of the race and underwent surgery at Ocala Equine Hospital in late February.
After receiving the green light from veterinarians after a seven month rehab the colt returned to Belmont Park September 11. The decision to retire him came after it was discovered the previous injury had been aggravated during routine training.
The colt broke his maiden first time out by 5 ¼ lengths, going five furlongs At Belmont Park in June, 2011. He made his second start Dec 16 winning a 6 ½ furlong allowance at Gulfstream and romped home in the one-mile Holy Bull over 2011 2-year-old champion Hansen. The Holy Bull field included multiple graded stakes winner Silver Max, eventual Carry Back Stakes (gr.ll) winner Fort Loudon and Long Branch Stakes winner My Adonis.
"We were optimistic about his future and return to the track," said trainer Todd Pletcher. "He was one of the best three-year-olds I have worked with. We had such great expectations of him last winter. It's a disappointment but he should have a great career ahead of him as a stallion."
Algorithms was bred in Kentucky by Oakbrook Farm out of the Cryptoclearance mare Ava Knowsthecode. A $170,000 Keeneland September Yearling Sale purchase, the colt retires with $301,500 in earnings. His sire is champion three-year-old colt Bernardini, who was a Classic winner retiring with $3,060,480 in career earnings. Sire of To Honor and Serve, Stay Thirsty, Alpha, and Wilburn he is the 2012 leading third-crop sire. He stands at Darley Kentucky for a $150,000 2012 stud fee. Ava Knowsthecode Has produced 5 stakes winners, including Justin Phillip, Keyed Entry, and Successful Mission.
"It's very disappointing," said Starlight Racing's managing partner Jack Wolf. "Unfortunately, it's part of the game. He's a wonderful colt and being a son of Bernardini he should move on to a promising stud career. Due to his top and bottom side, and his physical attributes we've received a significant level of interest but no decision has been made yet as to where he will stand."
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