Trainer Rick Dutrow reported Arson Squad, who suffered an injury before completing a workout at Gulfstream Park Dec. 31, would most likely make a full recovery, however the gelding has been retired from racing.
“He might have to undergo surgery, but Dr. (Larry) Bramlage said he should be okay,” Dutrow told Daily Racing Form Jan. 3. “He was such a special horse to be around, and one of our best friends here at the barn. But out on the track, he was all race horse and the kind you want to have bedded down in your barn. Now, he gets to retire and just hang out the right way the rest of his life.”
Arson Squad, a 9-year-old son of Brahms—Majestic Fire, by Green Dancer, retires with a record of 9-1-8 from 35 starts and earnings of $1,190,181. Owned by Jay Em Ess Stable, he scored his major victories in the Swaps Breeders’ Cup (gr. II) at 3, the Strub (gr. II) at 4, the Meadowlands Handicap (gr. II) at 5, and the Alysheba and Skip Away (both gr. II) at 7.
Arson Squad was one of four horses that broke down either during or immediately after completing workouts at Gulfstream Dec. 31, according to DRF. He was the only one of that group to survive.
“It definitely wasn’t the racetrack that was responsible for what happened here on Saturday,” Dutrow told DRF. “It was just one of those freak mornings that come along every 100 years.”
Arson Squad, who raced at nine different tracks during his six-year career, was bred in Pennsylvania by E & D Enterprises.