from Thoroughbred Times:

Benny the Bull, the nation’s leading sprinter, has been retired after developing an ankle injury.

Michael Iavarone of co-owner IEAH Stables confirmed in an e-mail that a bone chip was found in the Lucky Lionel horse’s right front ankle. Stud plans are pending.

Benny the Bull had won five straight starts dating back to last November, including the Gulf News Dubai Golden Shaheen (UAE-G1) in March and Smile Sprint Handicap (G2) in his most recent start on July 12 at Calder Race Course. He was scheduled to run on Saturday in the Forego Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course.

The injury was discovered two days after Benny the Bull breezed six furlongs in 1:14.29 on Monday at Aqueduct for trainer Richard Dutrow Jr. His defection will leave Tom Fool Handicap (G2) winner Lucky Island (Arg) as the leading contender for the seven-furlong Forego.

IEAH and Andrew Cohen purchased interests in Benny the Bull privately from Greg James last summer after his victory in the Iowa Sprint Handicap at Prairie Meadows. After joining Dutrow’s barn, Benny the Bull finished second in the Forego and fourth in the TVG Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) before launching his win streak in the Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash Stakes (G1) at Laurel Park.

Bred in Florida by Tomoka Farms Inc., Benny the Bull won nine of 17 career starts and earned $2,221,630. He is out of the Birdonthewire mare Comet Cat

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