Grade I Winner Got Koko Retired

Got Koko, a grade I winner and three-time Texas champion, has been retired from racing because of recurring ankle problems, according to Daily Racing Form. The 5-year-old daughter of Signal Tap had not started since running third in the Santa Monica Handicap (gr. I) at Santa Anita in January.

Bruce Headley trained Got Koko for his wife, Aase, and Paul Leung. Bred by Eileen H. Hartis, Got Koko won seven of 15 races and earned $960,946. Four of her five stakes wins came in graded events. She won the La Brea (gr. I) and El Encino (gr. II) Stakes as well as the Lady's Secret Breeders' Cup Handicap (gr. II) over Azeri and Adoration and the La Canada Stakes (gr. II) over Sightseek. Her four stakes-placings included a third to winner Adoration in last year's Breeders' Cup Distaff (gr. I).

Got Koko, who was produced from the Northern Baby mare Baby North, was champion 3-year-old filly in Texas in 2002 and the state's Horse of the Year and best older mare last year.