Unbeaten juvenile Kantharos (Lion Heart) suffered a career-ending fracture while galloping out after a workout Monday at Saratoga and has been retired. “This was a tragic and unforeseeable event,” said trainer Steve Asmussen. “The brilliance that he had shown was a foretaste of his limitless potential. Right now we are following his progress closely.” Kantharos was tabbed a TDN Rising Star after an 11 3/4-length debut romp at Churchill Downs May 13 and followed that effort with wins in the July 3 GIII Bashford Manor S. and Aug. 16 GII Saratoga Special. “This horse is a magnificent athlete,” said owner Jess Jackson. “We are stunned, shocked and terribly saddened by this awful event. At the same time, we are hoping that this injury will heal completely. At this point, his prognosis for a healthy recovery is good, but in any case, his racing career is over.”
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