Racing days over for War Pass

Last year's champion juvenile, War Pass, has retired to Lane's End on the advice of veterinarians and will begin his stud career in 2009, the farm announced Friday.

A 3-year-old Cherokee Run colt, War Pass fractured a sesamoid in his left front ankle in April. The fracture was discovered after his second-place finish in the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct. Co-owner Robert LaPenta said in July that the colt had not made as much progress in recovering from the fracture as LaPenta,

trainer Nick Zito, and veterinarians had hoped, raising the possibility that the colt would not return to the races.

Lane's End purchased a majority interest in the colt last year. The Versailles, Ky., farm's announcement said it will syndicate the colt and that his stud fee will be announced shortly.

War Pass won last season's Champagne Stakes and Breeders' Cup Juvenile en route to his championship. He leaves racing with 5 wins from 7 starts and earnings of $1,583,400.

War Pass is out of Mr. Prospector's stakes-placed daughter Vue. Bred by Cherry Valley Farm and The Gamely Corporation, he is a half-brother to Grade 1 winner Oath and Grade 2-placed Vision of Beauty.