2012 Risen Star Winner El Padrino Retired

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Owner Let's Go Stable announced Tuesday, April 16 that grade II winner El Padrino   has been retired from racing.

El Padrino earned a spot in last year's Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) when he won the Risen Star Stakes (gr. II) by a nose over Mark Valeski at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. The Pulpit colt would finish 13th in the Derby.

El Padrino was rested after that Derby effort and returned late in the year, finishing second in an allowance-optional claiming race at Gulfstream Park, which was his final career start.

Let's Go Racing principals Bryan Sullivan and Kevin Scatuorchio said El Padrino, who as a juvenile placed third in the Remsen Stakes (gr. II), ssuffered an injury to his left fore out of the Derby and the injury resurfaced while preparing for a planned start in this year's Donn Handicap (gr. I).

Trainer Todd Pletcher said in a release from Let's Go Stable that El Padrino should make a nice stallion.

"It's unfortunate that El Padrino won't have a grade I win next to his name, because he certainly demonstrated to us the ability to win at that level," Pletcher said. "There's no doubt that he has the talent, looks, and pedigree to be a top-class stallion."

Pletcher purchased El Padrino, bred in Kentucky by Emory L. Hamailton, for Let's Go Racing for $210,000 from the Middlebrook Farm consignment to the 2010 Keeneland September yearling sale. El Padrino retires with three wins, two seconds, and a third from eight starts and earnings of $326,770.

Out of the Giant's Causeway   mare Enchanted Rock, El Padrino is a half brother to this year's Wood Memorial Stakes (gr. I) winner Verrazano  , who is expected to be one of the favorites for this year's Derby. Sullivan and Scatuorchio are part of the ownership group that races Verrazano.

No decision has yet been announced regarding El Padrino's stud career.