Ironicus out for year with broken leg

ELMONT, N.Y. – By virtue of his track-record performance in the Grade 2 Bernard Baruch Handicap at Saratoga this month, Ironicus emerged as a top contender for next month’s Breeders’ Cup Mile. Unfortunately, Ironicus will miss the Breeders’ Cup after fracturing the cannon bone of his right foreleg, trainer Shug McGaughey said Thursday.

McGaughey said Ironicus would undergo surgery to have one screw inserted into the bone to stabilize the injury and promote healing. McGaughey said Ironicus would need at least 60 days off but will be pointed to a 5-year-old campaign next year.

McGaughey said he hopes to have Ironicus back for the Maker’s 46 Mile at Keeneland, typically run in mid-April.

“If we can get one in him in Florida, we’ll get one in him,” McGaughey said. “If we don’t, we don’t.”

Ironicus, a 4-year-old son of Distorted Humor owned and bred by Stuart Janney III, ran 1 1/16 miles on turf in 1:38.54 in winning the Bernard Baruch, eclipsing the 24-year-old mark of 1:38.91 set by Fourstardave.