From Thoroughbred Times Today

Rags to Riches suffers fracture, sidelined until 2008

Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Rags to Riches
suffered a hairline fracture to her right front
pastern and will miss the remainder of the
2007 season, trainer Todd Pletcher said on
Sunday.
Pletcher said he believes the A.P. Indy filly,
who on June 9 became the first filly in 102
years to win the Belmont Stakes, was injured
in the stretch of a runner-up finish in the
Gazelle Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park on Saturday.
Rags to Riches will resume her racing
career in 2008.
“The injury is not career ending, and she is expected to make a
full recovery,” Pletcher said. “It appears as though she sustained
the injury during the stretch run. When she switched to the right
lead, she came off the bridle and lugged in a bit. Though she cooled
out fine following the race, she appeared to be slightly off this morning.
Subsequent X-rays discovered the hairline fracture.
“She is resting comfortably and will ship to Ashford Stud [Monday],
where she will receive six weeks of stall rest to give the fracture
time to heal,” Pletcher said. “At the conclusion of her
convalescence, she will be re-X-rayed to determine when she will
resume training. She will not race again until 2008.”—Mike Curry

Well, here's that coincidence I've been waiting for!

Racing Recap

Well, both Rags To Riches and The Green Monkey got beat yesterday. Rags To Riches ran a very good second, getting beat 1/2 length by Lear's Princess. Trainer, Todd Pletcher said after the race, “I would never be discouraged with this filly,” “I still think she is the best three-year-old filly in the country. “I think she is one of the best we’ve seen in a long time. Sometimes, the best get beat.”

The Green Monkey didn't fare as well. He finished a flat third place after chasing a strong pace. He had a small rally in the stretch, basically right before he got his doors blown off.

What's the Real Deal??

Rags To Riches, who has not started since becoming the first filly in 102 years to win the Belmont, has had another setback. This time a fever of 102. She had a temperature that kept her out of the Coaching Club American Oaks, then was pulled up at the start of a scheduled five-furlong workout on July 22. A thorough physical examination showed no problems. Todd Pletcher is adamant that there is nothing wrong, which appears to be confirmed by her gallops and workouts in between these weird events. I just wonder if there isn't more going on than they admit.