'Rags' with hairline fracture; '08 possible

Originally Posted by ajphilly

I don't know that you can blame Smarty's injury on the Belmont. It wasn't until he resumed training in July that he bruised his foot and then was retired for injuries blamed on the general wear and tear of racing. The Belmont contributed to it as did every race he ran, but I don't recall that specific race ever being blamed for his retirement.

It was discussed some on the internet. I come out tending to blame the race. WHen he went around the final turn he bore out considerably and after the race was over his head was hanging down, not good signs. I think it's likely the damage was done here.

I tried to limit my list to only those horses actually injured in the race and who did not race again or were not the same. List was limited to those that won a TC race.

If were to add in those that were not said to be injured but went sour a short time after the Belmont, the list might grow considerably. There are a number of horses that might be candidates based on Avalyn Hunter's book but could not specifically point to the race itself. WOrth thining about.

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prudery: Sure it's possible that the series of races could have done the damage as well. In fact I think you would have to factor all that in to do a fair comparison.

It's a fair pt. I think if people are going to use Jazil as a data pt. then you might as well start to factor in the derby, and the whole series of races. that's why I tried to just list those were actual injuries were sustained at Belmont.