Kettle Corn retired with an injury

ARCADIA, Calif. – Kettle Corn, winner of two graded stakes on synthetic tracks in the last two years, has been retired to stud because of a recent injury, trainer John Sadler said.

The injury was detected following a seventh-place finish by the 6-year-old Kettle Corn in the Grade 2 John Henry Turf Championship at Santa Anita on Sept. 29. Owned by Lee and Susan Searing, Kettle Corn won 8 of 26 starts and earned $853,361.

Sadler said earlier this week that discussions are under way between the Searings and farm owners in California and “the Midwest” regarding stallion plans for Kettle Corn, who is by Candy Ride.

“He had a good run,” Sadler said. “We’re in the process of getting him a good place. We’ve got two or three lines in the water.”

Kettle Corn was purchased privately by the Searings and sent to Sadler in 2011 from the Illinois circuit. Kettle Corn won the Grade 3 Native Diver Stakes at Betfair Hollywood Park in December 2011. In 2012, Kettle Corn was winless in seven stakes, including a third in the Grade 1 Hollywood Gold Cup.

Earlier this year, Kettle Corn won the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap at Del Mar. He also was second in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic and third in the Grade 1 Hollywood Gold Cup.