Afleet Alex Won't Race at Breeders Cup

How quick the turn of events.

As earlier reported Preakness and Belmont Stakes champion Afleet Alex was eyeing the $4 million Breeders' Cup prize. But this would not be.

Trainer Tim Ritchey and veterinarian Patricia Hogan announced on Monday that the Afleet's leg injury is not fully healed and the popular 3-year-old colt won't be ready for such a tough race on Oct. 29 at Belmont Park.

Afleet Alex, the star of the Triple Crown series with his acrobatic Preakness win and overpowering Belmont victory, had two strong workouts on the comeback trail and was looking to run in the Classic after a prep race.

But the prospect of running this weekend, either at Belmont Park or at Keeneland in Lexington, Ky., then coming back two weeks later and taking on the top horses in training in the $4 million BC Classic was just too much to ask.

"He's just too valuable, and the owners care a lot about him,'' Hogan said. "They are looking at the bigger picture and want to race him next year.''

Afleet Alex underwent surgery on the ankle a week after the injury was discovered, and a screw was inserted in the bone.

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