Equisponse release

ELMONT, N.Y. – 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 1½ – mile Classic. The injury was detected when the colt was slightly off following the race, and x-rays taken June 8 revealed the fracture.

“He will have surgery later this morning to place a screw into the area which will stabilize the injury while it heals,” said Todd Pletcher, trainer of Dunkirk.  “We anticipate a full recovery and a return to racing later this fall.”

The surgery will be performed at the Ruffian Equine Medical Center in Elmont, NY by Dr. Patricia Hogan.

Dunkirk, owned by Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith, was a $3.7 million Keeneland September yearling sale purchase. Sired by multiple graded stakes winner Unbridled’s Song, he led the field in this year’s Belmont, setting the pace under jockey John Velazquez.  He finished 2 ¾ lengths behind eventual winner Summer Bird and a neck ahead of Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird.

The Belmont was the fifth start for Dunkirk, who ran an impressive second to Quality Road in the Florida Derby after scoring back to back wins at Gulfstream Park.