Sarava, the 2002 Belmont Stakes winner, has been retired with an injury to the suspensory ligament in his right foreleg. The 5-year-old son of Wild Again reaggravated the injury, which he originally sustained two years ago, in a work on Monday at Belmont Park.

Sarava was scheduled to run in Saturday's Grade 1, $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup.

Bob Baffert, Sarava's trainer, said stud plans have yet to be finalized.

Baffert took over the training of Sarava for Gary Drake's New Phoenix Stable and Susan Roy late in 2002. Ken McPeek trained Sarava to his upset win in the Belmont Stakes, which was the last time the horse won a race. Sarava, who was 70-1 in the Belmont, is the highest priced winner ($142.50) in the race's 136 runnings.

After winning the Belmont, Sarava didn't race for 14 months because of his suspensory injury. After making it back to the races, Sarava had another setback when he had to undergo surgery for a twisted colon.

"He has been so tough throughout everything," Baffert said Tuesday from California. "He has battled one thing after another. We are very disappointed because he has been doing great at Belmont, and our whole goal was the Gold Cup"

Sarava, who is out of Rhythm of Life, a daughter of Deputy Minister, retires with earnings of $773,832 and a record of 3-3-0 in seven starts.

In his last start, Sarava finished fifth in the Grade 2 Saratoga Breeders' Cup Handicap on Aug. 22.