Kona Gold retired

DEL MAR, Calif. - Kona Gold, the 2000 Eclipse Award-winning sprinter who won stakes from ages 5 through 9, was retired on Sunday, one day after finishing fifth in Del Mar's Bing Crosby Handicap, his first career loss at Del Mar.

Trainer Bruce Headley and owners Andrew and Irwin Molasky made the announcement. "Enough is enough," Headley said. "It's time to let him retire. He doesn't have any speed anymore. He's 9 1/2 years old. He's done so much."

Kona Gold won 14 times in 30 starts, and was 5 for 6 at Del Mar. His biggest win came in the 2000 Breeders' Cup Sprint at Churchill Downs. Last year, he ran in the BC Sprint for the fifth time, becoming the only horse to run in five Breeders' Cup races.

Headley said Del Mar, where Kona Gold was a fan favorite, would have a day in the gelding's honor later this meet. After that, Headley said, Kona Gold will be turned out, then returned to the track with the goal of turning him into a lead pony.