"The final decision to retire Super Saver was a difficult one that may not be popular with fans, but should be very popular with our breeders," said Elliott Walden, WinStar Farm's Vice-President and Racing Manager. "The bone bruising, discovered by Dr. Larry Bramlage DVM, which limited his performance during the latter half of this year should subside with time. However, it created a slight risk that he would not return to the form he showed as a two-year-old and through the Kentucky Derby. He was a top two-year-old and became WinStar and Todd Pletcher's first Kentucky Derby winner. He has nothing more to prove."
Trained by Todd Pletcher for WinStar Farm, Super Saver won the Run for the Roses as the 8-1 second choice in the 20 horse field. He won the Triple Crown race, with jockey Calvin Borel, by 2 1/2-lengths over Ice Box in a time of 2:04.45 on a sloppy track.
The colt began 2010 by finishing third in the Tampa Bay Derby and was second in the Arkansas Derby just prior to the Kentucky Derby.
"I've dreamt of winning the Kentucky Derby since I was six-years-old, "Pletcher said. "Super Saver was my fastest two-year-old last year, and his stakes-record performance in the (Kentucky) Jockey Club told me he was a Derby horse. I just had to harness that speed and get him ready. Thank God it happened just that way."
In the Preakness Stakes, Super Saver was sent off as the 9-5 favorite. He disappointed by finishing eighth in the 12 horse field. He did not run in the Belmont Stakes.
Super Saver's final start was in the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park. He finished fourth to Preakness Stakes winner Lookin At Lucky.
"Super Saver is a special horse. He made a lot of dreams come true for the entire WinStar team," said Doug Cauthen, President of WinStar. "Having him back at the farm this past month has been like having a family member return home. We ultimately felt like it was best for him to retire now and we're thrilled to have the rare opportunity to stand a horse of his caliber here where he was born and raised. With his impressive mix of speed and a classic pedigree, Super Saver is an exciting stud prospect."
Super Saver retires with a record of 3 wins in nine career starts and earnings of $1,889,766.
