Calder: Field Commission suffers condylar fracture in Smile Handicap

MIAMI – Trainer Curtis Garrison reported that Field Commission suffered a condylar fracture in his right hind leg during the running of Saturday’s Grade 2 Smile Handicap at Calder. Field Commission was scheduled to have surgery Sunday.

Field Commission, who returned from an 18-month layoff to win the Ponche Handicap here four weeks earlier, was stalking the pace of Artefacto when pulled up suddenly by jockey Manny Cruz nearing the half-mile pole of the six-furlong Smile.

“He was sitting in perfect position when this came about,” Garrison said. “The rider said all of a sudden he felt something funny in behind and pulled him up. I’m not sure if he might have been bumped from the side a little or perhaps had his heels clipped.”

Garrison said the injury was definitely a career-ending one for Field Commission who will retire with eight victories and earnings of $1,026,266 for owners Edward Seltzer and Larry Baum. His most noteworthy win came in Woodbine’s Grade 2 Nearctic during fall 2009.