Union Rags retired

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Belmont Stakes winner Union Rags has been retired as a result of a left front leg injury. The injury was revealed just last week, but the colt was expected to resume racing in 2013.

A lesion of the suspensory ligament of the colt's left front leg was discovered on Tuesday, July 10. It was believed the injury occurred during a workout on July 6 at the Fair Hill Training Center in Maryland.

Owned by Chadds Ford Stable, Union Rags won the Belmont Stakes over Paynter by a neck to record his first win since claiming the Fountain of Youth Stakes in February. The colt earned $1,798,800 in eight career starts with five wins.

He joins Kentucky Derby and Preakness champ I'll Have Another in retirement. Still racing but recovering from an illness is Bodemeister, second in both the Run for the Roses and Preakness.