Paddy O'Prado injury forces retirement
 

Tough news... Reports indicate the Paddy O'Prado injury is a fracture (sesamoid) that will necessitate his retirement. More upon confirmation from Dale Romans or Jerry Crawford.

UPDATE: Initial reports were correct Sunday afternoon. Those that listened to Dale Romans on ATR Monday morning heard him indicate that Crawford needed to inform the Donegal partners before today's 1p press conference to announce the retirement news. Pretty sad. Was primed it seemed for a big year.

"Worse than believed"?

Did anyone actually believe the initial reports?

Dammit--your headline had me worried for his life. Given that initial shock, I'll take his retirement OK.

Darn, he really is an enjoyable horse to watch and so versatile.

Paddy O'P is one of my very favs. He owes me nothing. I owe him a truck load of carrots.

Sad news but always thankful when it's not life threatening.

Too bad. I was so pleased with his Dixie run and thought I could look forward to seeing a big year out of him.

The Highest of Highs the lowest of lows. One day you win the Preakness another day the super star in your barn is injured and may be retired! I love Paddy as many other fans do so hears that if he's injured it's not life threatening and he can retire to a wonderful life at stud.

Wow it looked like he was ready to dominate the turf division this year.

very sad news.

I am very sorry to hear this news, one of my favorite horses. I remember in his first or second lifetime start, he ran on grass at Saratoga where Andy Serling touted him at 18-1. He broke badly, looked to have no chance only to come with a furious late run and miss by a nostrol which unfortunately cost me a huge pk4 pay. It is shame that his career will end prematurely, but as long as he is healthy hopefully he will make a great sire.

He was 19-1 in his career debut at Churchill on the Firecracker undercard. Finished 7th beaten 11 lengths.

He was 3-1 in that 2nd start at Saratoga, and was beaten a neck by Dean's Kitten.

2-1 when beaten by Interactif in the With Anticipation in his 3rd start.

3-2 when 3rd as the beaten favorite (Saint Jude) in a February MSW at Gulfstream as a first time 3yo.

7-1 when he broke his maiden in the Palm Beach over Dean's Kitten 3/6/10.

Thanks, Steve, I stand corrected as my memory fails me here and I guess I combined starts 1 and 2. I remember that 2nd start and could have sworn that was when he was 18-1. I remember the bad break and the furious run and it costing me a fortune in the pk4. It may have been that I had a huge price already on the ticket and I was singled to him at the 3-1 with a huge willpay. Regardless, I have always really liked this horse and it is really a shame that he will not get the chance to dominate the turf division this year.

The Pick-3 with Paddy O'Prado was paying $1800+. The Pick-3 that hit paid like $700 and change. The eventual Pick-4 paid $8K...so it's not unreasonable to assume the Pick-4 would have been in excess of $15K if Paddy O'Prado won. A beat that still haunts me, especially given the horrible ride Mena gave him, and that he did not ride again at the meet. Plus, Paddy O'Prado turned out to be a monster.

Too bad about his injury and retirement. He's a good horse.

He is a funny horse too...he walks around the paddock like he owns the place.

That still haunts me too. . . I was alive in the PK3 a few times to two horses--Paddy and Citrus Kid--a future GISW and a future SW/GISP.

Really disappointing... probably the 4yo I was most looking forward to coming back.