Arlington Million winner Jambalaya injured

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ETOBICOKE, Ontario -- Arlington Million winner Jambalaya will not see action again this season due to an injury.

Catherine Day Phillips, who trains Jambalaya and is his owner in partnership with her husband, Todd, said the gelding was sent to Kentucky on Tuesday for an MRI and an acute bone bruise at the end of a cannon bone was discovered.

"They'd felt that we caught it very early, and he's going to be okay," said Day Phillips. "They felt it was an acute injury, as opposed to a chronic condition. It's in a place where it's very difficult to heal. He'll be on stall rest, and be reevaluated in three months."

Day Phillips said Jambalaya had emerged from the Arlington Million with some heat in an ankle but that X-rays were negative and the 5-year-old gelding continued to train well.

But after Jambalaya breezed five furlongs here on Sept. 8, the problem resurfaced and an MRI was performed.

The results were sent to New York veterinarian Steven Selway, who had performed minor ankle surgery on Jambalaya at the conclusion of his 3-year-old campaign.

Selway found the results to be inconclusive and suggested the second MRI, which was conducted by Dr. Scott Bennett in Simpsonville, Ky.

Jambalaya had earned a starting berth in the Breeders' Cup Turf with his Million victory, but he will now head home to Kingfield Farm. The Million was his second Grade 1 stakes win of the season, following the Grade 1 Gulfstream Park Breeders' Cup in February.

Jambalaya also won the Grade 3 Pan American at Gulfstream in March and finished third in Woodbine's Grade 2 King Edward and Grade 2 Northern Dancer prior to his successful Arlington trip.

Next Sunday's Grade 1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic at Belmont was to have been Jambalaya's prep for the Breeders' Cup Turf.

Unfortunately, Jambalaya will not be eligible for Sovereign Award consideration as a minimum of three starts in Canada during the current season is a requisite for all horses older than 2 and he only started at Woodbine twice.

"I'm going to really miss seeing him here at the track every day," said Day Phillips. "But it's more important to do what we can to have a horse for next year, and the year after."

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