General Quarters, the two-time Grade 1 winner who made his
septuagenarian owner-trainer one of the most popular Kentucky Derby
stories of recent years, was retired Monday after finishing last of 13
in the Clark Handicap on Friday at his home track of Churchill Downs.
Tom McCarthy said General Quarters is not injured but that he was
concerned about the lack of interest the 5-year-old horse had shown in
his recent races.
“It’s time,” said McCarthy, 77. “He walked over there Friday like an
old cow. Usually, he’s all full of vim and vigor, so maybe he’s telling
us something. Funny, but he was kicking the barn down this morning
[Monday]. He’s done enough for me, that’s for sure. He gave me one of
the best times of my life, and I’ve been working with horses since I was
9.”
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