Itsinthepost injured and retired

ARCADIA, Calif. – Itsinthepost, a millionaire who won eight graded stakes in the last three years, has been retired after sustaining an injury over the weekend.

Owner Jed Cohen, who races as Red Baron’s Barn, said Itsinthepost was diagnosed with a sesamoid injury by trainer Jeff Mullins on Sunday, a day after working five furlongs in 1:02 on the infield training track.

“He obviously had a problem,” Cohen said. “It’s a shame.”

Cohen said Itsinthepost will not need surgery. Mullins said in a text message Sunday that he was “devastated” by the developments.

An 8-year-old gelding bred in France, Itsinthepost won 11 of 42 starts and earned $1,384,604. Itsinthepost had his best season by wins as a 6-year-old in 2018, going 4 for 7 and earning $505,690. During that season, Itsinthepost won three consecutive Grade 2 turf stakes at Santa Anita to start the campaign – the San Gabriel Stakes, San Marcos Stakes, and San Luis Rey Stakes.

Itsinthepost was under consideration for Saturday’s San Marcos Stakes when the injury occurred.

Itsinthepost was seventh in the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Del Mar in 2017, a year he won 3 of 9 starts and earned $573,000. Itsinthepost finished eighth in his final start, the Grade 2 Hollywood Turf Cup on Dec. 1 at Del Mar. The previous month he won the Grade 2 Marathon Stakes at Santa Anita. The Marathon Stakes was Itsinthepost’s only win on dirt in two starts on the surface.

Itsinthepost had five starts in France in 2014 as a 2-year-old before being bought by Cohen and transferred to Darrell Vienna. Itsinthepost was with Vienna until the spring of 2016 when Vienna retired from training.

Itsinthepost won his debut for Mullins in an optional claimer at Santa Anita in May 2016. Aside from the eight stakes wins, Itsinthepost was second or third in five graded stakes.

“I compliment Jeff on the job he’s done with the horse,” Cohen said. “That’s a pretty remarkable career he had.”