Bernardini rolled to victory in the Preakness Stakes (gr. I) Saturday at Pimlico Race Course while a serious injury shattered Barbaro’s racing career and dreams of a Triple Crown bid.

The start was delayed after Barbaro broke through the gate. Then, in the first 200 yards of the dash to the first turn, the undefeated Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum Brands! (gr. I) winner stumbled and dropped behind the surging field before being pulled up in distress by jockey Edgar Prado.

Larry Bramlage, DVM, Dipl. ACVS, a prominent equine surgeon with the American Association of Equine Practitioners On Call program, said that X-rays revealed that Barbaro fractured his right hind leg above and below the ankle. NBC reported that the colt would be sent to the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center for surgery. According to Bramlage, a major factor in the prognosis will be how much the colt’s blood supply has been compromised by the injury. His racing career is over and the best case scenario is to save him for stallion duty, Bramlage said.

“Keep your fingers crossed and say a prayer,” Bramlage said