Ema Bovary injured, retired

Multiple stakes winner Ema Bovary was retired Saturday after sustaining an ankle injury during a morning workout at Golden Gate Fields.

A 6-year-old Chilean-bred mare, Ema Bovary won 13 of 19 career starts, earning $721,642. She was preparing for her first start since defeating Bear Fan and Lady Tak in the Grade 2, $500,000 Princess Rooney at Calder last July.

Her veterinarian, Dr. Steve Boyd, said she suffered ligament strains in her left front ankle. There was no fracture.

"It's serious, but she should recover quickly. This injury usually takes four to six months to heal," Boyd said.

"She was just galloping out," said regular jockey Roberto Gonzalez, who was aboard for the workout, which was officially clocked in 1:00.20 for five furlongs.

"At the seven-eighths pole," said Gonzalez, "she changed leads and bobbled one time. She bobbled again on the next step, so I pulled her up right away."

Trainer Larry Ross said owners Richard T. Beal and Lana Ramsey-Borg planned to send Ema Bovary to Kentucky to be bred as soon as she is well enough to travel.

"With a regular horse, you could bring them back in four months or so," Ross said. "But why try to bring her back? She's worth too much as a broodmare."

After losing her first start in the United States when she wheeled coming out of the gate, Ema Bovary won nine straight starts before finishing second as the odds-on favorite to Coconut Girl in the Grade 3 Desert Stormer at Hollywood Park. She then won the Princess Rooney in her next start.