Hightail retired after fracturing a sesamoid at Oaklawn Park

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Sprint winner Hightail has been retired after sustaining an injury during a recent training session at Oaklawn Park, trainer D. Wayne Lukas said Tuesday.

Lukas said Hightail fractured a sesamoid and is to rehab at the Calumet Farm operation of his owner, Brad Kelley. Stud plans for the horse are pending.

“He’s retired,” Lukas said. “It was training, just a bad step. He’s going to be okay as a stud.”

Hightail rushed up the rail to win the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Sprint by a nose. He had one additional start following the race and finished fourth to Goldencents in the Grade 3, $1 million Delta Downs Jackpot on Nov. 17. Hightail was expected to be a major part of the 3-year-old series during the Oaklawn meet that opens Friday.

“He accomplished a lot, and we were hoping for bigger and better things,” Lukas said. “We thought he could maybe be one of those that could stretch out for two turns.”

Hightail is a son of 2003 Horse of the Year Mineshaft. His dam, Stormy Renee, is a daughter of the multiple Grade 1 winner Fleet Renee. Hightail raced under Kelley’s banner of Bluegrass Hall LLC.