Multiple stakes winner The Player injured in New Orleans Handicap

The Player, a multiple graded stakes winner sent off as the favorite in Saturday’s Grade 2, $400,000 New Orleans Handicap, fractured sesamoids in his right-front leg before eased turning for home at Fair Grounds, trainer William "Buff" Bradley said.

The horse was transported to Louisiana State University's equine hospital. He's "comfortable" and scheduled to have surgery there Monday.

Bradley also bred and co-owns the 5-year-old by Street Hero, who was in top form. The Player struck for the first time in graded stakes company in last October’s Fayette Stakes (G2) at Keeneland and took Fair Grounds’ Feb. 17 Mineshaft Handicap (G3) last out by 4 1/4 lengths.

In 13 career starts, The Player went 5-3-1 with earnings of $452,000.

"You worry about complications," Bradley said of surgery, "but I talked to Carl (co-owner Hurst) and we are going to do everything we can for him within reason."

The Player led early in the New Orleans handicap, an undercard race run on Louisiana Derby Day. The horse did not appear to take a bad step before jockey Calvin Borel pulled him up.

Good Samaritan went on to win the New Orleans Handicap.