Vosburgh S. (G1) winner TASTE OF PARADISE (Conquistador Cielo) has been
retired due to a tendon injury, trainer Gary Mandella told the Blood-Horse. Owned by David Bloom, the six-year-old
horse finished a hard-luck second, beaten only a head, in
his final career start, the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1), and recorded an overall
mark of 28-6-3-4 and $1,019,455 in earnings. Stud plans are pending.
The dark bay earned his first stakes win in the 2003 San Diego H. (G2)
and annexed the Vernon O. Underwood S. (G3) and Ack Ack H. last season. He
placed in the Bing Crosby H. (G1) and Pat O’Brien Breeders’ Cup H. (G2) this
summer before posting a two-length score in the prestigious Vosburgh. Taste of
Paradise came flying late to just miss in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, running out
of room at the wire after being checked in the stretch.
The Kentucky-bred was being pointed toward the Cigar Mile H. (G1) on November
26 when the injury was discovered.