Injury likely ends Young Brian’s career

DEL MAR, Calif. – Young Brian, an impressive debut winner earlier in the meet and expected to be one of the favorites for the Del Mar Futurity on Sept. 7, was injured in a workout at Del Mar on Monday, and his career likely is over, according to his owner and breeder, John Liviakis.

“He’s done,” Liviakis said. “I really think this was the big horse. I’m lucky to have had him. I’m gonna breed some mares to him.”

Liviakis and trainer Phil D’Amato said the injury was to a sesamoid bone in a front leg.

Young Brian, a colt by Hard Spun, earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 86 when he rolled to a 10 1/4-length victory over maidens going 6 1/2 furlongs on Aug. 8. He had three works after that win, the last on Monday, when he went five furlongs in 1:00.

“He came back to the barn limping,” Liviakis said.

Liviakis entered Young Brian in the Barretts March sale of 2-year-olds in training but bought him back for $500,000. Liviakis also said he had several multimillion-dollar offers for Young Brian after the maiden win but again chose not to sell, preferring to race a horse he described as “the best horse I’ve ever had.”

D’Amato said the injury would be further evaluated by veterinarians later in the week.

The field for the Grade 1, $300,000 Del Mar Futurity for 2-year-olds is expected to be led by Nyquist, the unbeaten winner of the Grade 2 Best Pal Stakes on Aug. 8. Other candidates are the maiden-race winners Blameitonthelaw, Mt Veeder, Rockin Bayou, and Swipe, who was second in the Best Pal Stakes.

- additional reporting by Steve Andersen and Brad Free