Dogwood Stable's dual graded stakes winner Aikenite has been retired from racing after re-injuring an ankle while prepping for his final appearance in the Ack Ack Handicap (gr. III) at Churchill Downs, according to Cot Campbell, Dogwood Stable president.
"Following the Breeders' Cup of 2011 we gave him the winter off. When put back in training, he demonstrated unsoundness in his left ankle and we stopped him—too late for the breeding season," said Campbell in a release. "This summer, veterinarians felt that an early fall campaign was warranted, and he had trained and run well until his final breeze on Sunday (Oct. 28)."
The 5-year-old son of Yes It's True, out of the Saint Ballado mare Silverlado, made only one appearance in 2012—finishing a respectable fourth in the Oct. 5 Phoenix Stakes (gr. III) at Keeneland.
At 4, Aikenite won the grade II Commonwealth and Churchill Downs Stakes, both at seven furlongs. During his career, the dark bay or brown horse also placed in the Forego, Hopeful, and Breeders' Futurity (all gr. I); the Fountain of Youth (gr. II); and the Derby Trial and Phoenix (both gr. III). He competed in the Breeders' Cup from ages 2 through 4, his best finish being a fourth in last year's Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I).
"Aikenite has been entered in the Keeneland November breeding stock sale and we have had conversations with farms from a variety of locales about his stallion career," Campbell said.
Aikenite was trained during his career by Todd Pletcher. He was purchased by Dogwood for $225,000 at the 2009 Ocala Breeders' Sale Co.'s 2-year-old in training sale, after having clocked the sale's fastest work (20:2).
Bred in Florida by BryLynn Farm, Aikenite exits racing with an overall record of 5-4-3 from 24 starts, for earnings of $875,385.
Aikenite at the 2011 Breeders' Cup.
Mathea Kelley