Dunkirk Sidelined
By The Editors

Published on June 9, 2009 | Racing

News that Dunkirk sustained an injury during the Belmont Stakes on Saturday makes his game effort in that race all the more impressive. From a press release sent out this morning:

Dunkirk, the second-place finisher in the June 6 Belmont Stakes, suffered a non-displaced condylar fracture of the left hind cannon bone during last Saturday’s running of the 1 1/2-mile Classic. The injury was detected when the colt was slightly off following the race, and x-rays taken June 8 revealed the fracture.

In surgery on Tuesday morning at the new Ruffian Equine Medical Center, a screw was inserted in Dunkirk‘s cannon bone to repair the fracture.

“It’s kind of a bummer, but the important thing is he is going to be OK,” said trainer Todd Pletcher. “We anticipate a full recovery.”
Although it was initially reported Dunkirk could return to racing in the fall, Pletcher said it was more likely the Unbridled’s Song colt would return next year. Until he is ready to resume training, Dunkirk will recuperate at Ashford Stud.

Quality Road works
Florida Derby winner Quality Road, out of training since April due to a quarter crack, resumed training on Monday, breezing three furlongs in :38.83 over the Belmont training track.