Connections decide the best defense is to retire Good Offense

A second bizarre incident in an eight-month period involving a maiden named Good Offense has led to the voluntary retirement of the 3-year-old gelding.

Good Offense was drawing away on the lead inside the eighth pole in the sixth race last Friday at Churchill Downs when he suddenly swerved out, tossing jockey Gabriel Saez to the dirt. The incident was very similar to what occurred on the Churchill turf last November, when Good Offense was just a few yards from winning a maiden-special race when he also ducked out sharply, throwing jockey Jesus Castanon. No one was seriously injured in either instance.

By rule, Good Offense could have been permanently barred from racing, but trainer Paul McGee said owner-breeders John and Jerry Amerman have decided to retire him.

“John said ‘Let’s just give him a good home,’” said McGee.

The gelding was sent this week to Second Stride, a non-profit rescue and adoption agency for off-the-track Thoroughbreds in Prospect, Ky.