Strong Hope retired with injury

Owners Eugene and Laura Melnyk have retired their dual Grade 2 winner Strong Hope, and the colt will enter stud in 2005 at Claiborne Farm in Paris, Ky. His stud fee has yet to be announced.

Strong Hope, a 4-year-old son of Grand Slam, last ran in the Forego on Sept. 4 at Saratoga, finishing fourth behind Midas Eyes.

"Strong Hope wrenched his ankle in the Forego, which will need time to quiet down," Pletcher said in a statement. "The timing is such that it would have been extremely difficult to be ready for the Breeders' Cup."

Claiborne purchased an interest in Strong Hope's breeding rights in June.

Strong Hope, winner of the 2003 Dwyer and Jim Dandy, retires with a record of 11-6-1-2 and $767,460 in earnings.