A slab fracture sustained in the Belmont Stakes will keep Animal Kingdom from competing for the rest of the 2011 season.

After the race Animal Kingdom was lame. The original diagnosis was a small fracture at the top of the left cannon bone. Unfortunately, further x-rays revealed a more severe injury: a slab fracture which is when a break in the knee where the “slab” of a carpal bone splits and the front part becomes detached.

Treatment will include minor surgery during which a screw will be inserted to compress the fracture. After that, Animal Kingdom will go into 90 days of rehabilitation.

He is expected to return to racing after being rehabbed.