Afleet Alex retired

"There was no decision at all," trainer Tim Ritchey told The Associated Press. "Once we saw what he had, it was a no-brainer just for his safety and well being."

Afleet Alex retires with eight wins in 12 starts and earnings of $2,765,800, and nearly became the sport's 12th Triple Crown winner.

He finished third in the Kentucky Derby by a length, won the Preakness after nearly being knocked down by Scrappy T in the turn for home and won the Belmont by seven lengths. Jockey Jeremy Rose was aboard Afleet Alex for all three Triple Crown races.

"We're all very disappointed and frustrated," Cash is King managing partner Chuck Zacney said on the Afleet Alex Web site. "We were really looking forward to racing Alex next year and to showing just how great a horse he was. I don't think horse racing fans saw the best of Alex. They saw a lot of very good races. But, the way he was growing and maturing, I really feel the best was yet to come."

Ritchey had hoped Afleet Alex would run in the Cigar Mile at Aqueduct on Nov. 26.

"It will heal, but you're looking at six to eight months," Ritchey said. "And with a horse of his value and his credentials, he just needs to be retired and go to stud."

There is no deal pending on where the colt will stand at stud.

"The next step is to find a good home for Alex," Zacney said.

Ritchey purchased the colt at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2-year-olds in training sale at Timonium for $75,000. It was the first horse purchased by Cash is King, which consists of Zacney, Joe Lerro, Bob Brittingham, Jennifer Reeves and Joe Judge, all from the Philadelphia area.<