Overbrook Farm homebred Battle Plan, a grade II winner this year, has been retired from racing because of a torn suspensory in his right front leg. The injury occurred during a runner-up effort in the June 12 Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) at Churchill Downs.
Five-year-old Battle Plan arrived June 16 at Overbrook near Lexington.
Battle Plan was viewed as a solid up-and-comer in the handicap division. After missing nearly all of last season with a hairline fracture of his cannon bone, he was undefeated in three starts in 2010 and rode a four-race win streak into the Foster, including the New Orleans Handicap (gr. II) at Fair Grounds in late March in his stakes debut.
The 9-5 favorite and pacesetter in the 1 1/8-mile Stephen Foster, Battle Plan led by four lengths at the eighth pole before being passed by Blame, who scored by three-quarters of a length.
Battle Plan, by Empire Maker , retired with four wins from six starts and earnings of $373,143. His dam, Flanders (by Seeking the Gold), was an Overbrook homebred champion during the time Overbrook was operated by its founder, William T. Young, who died several years ago. Battle Plan is a half-brother to champion Surfside.
Overbrook, which at one time stood leading sire Storm Cat, no longer operates a stallion station and maintains a limited racing stable under the direction of Young’s grandson Chris. Breeding plans are undecided.
