Sprinter Benny the Bull retired from racing

Leading sprinter Benny the Bull has been retired from racing because of an ankle chip, The Blood-Horse reported Wednesday.

Benny the Bull developed a filling in his right front ankle after a workout Tuesday at Aqueduct.

He was on a five-race winning streak and training for the Grade I Forego at Saratoga on Saturday. He was second to Midnight Lute in last year's Forego.

Breeding plans have not been finalized.

Coming back from Japan

Undefeated Casino Drive will return to the United States in mid-September to prepare for the Breeders' Cup Classic, according to a spokesman for the Japanese Racing Association.

Casino Drive, a half-brother to Belmont Stakes winner Rags to Riches and Jazil, will enter the Grade I Goodwood Breeders' Cup on Sept. 27.

He won his debut in Japan by 111/2 lengths and the Peter Pan Stakes by 53/4 lengths. The morning before the 2008 Belmont he suffered a foot bruise and missed the race.

Wall among honorees

Retired Racing Hall of Fame jockey Chris McCarron, the late track announcer Luke Kruytbosch, and multiple Media Eclipse Award-winning turf writer Maryjean Wall will be honored by the National Turf Writers Association.

McCarron, who retired from the saddle in 2002 as the sport's all-time leading rider by purses won, will receive the Joe Palmer Award during the 49th annual NTWA Awards Dinner Oct. 22 in Pasadena, Calif.

The award is presented annually for meritorious service to racing.

McCarron currently serves as executive director and instructor at the North American Riding Academy, which he founded in 2006. The school is based at the Kentucky Horse Park and designed for aspiring jockeys.

Kruytbosch, announcer at Churchill Downs and voice of the Kentucky Derby since 1999 who passed away on July 14, will be honored posthumously with the Mr. Fitz Award.

The award is presented to an individual or group for typifying the spirit of horse racing.

Wall, a turf writer for the Lexington Herald-Leader from 1973 until her retirement earlier this year, will receive the Walter Haight Award presented for excellence in turf writing.

One of the first women to cover racing on a full-time basis, Wall won Media Eclipse Awards in 1980, '97 and '99. She was also a three-time winner of Standardbred racing's John Hervey Award.

Wall currently writes about racing on her Web site, www.maryjeanwall.com, and is working to complete her dissertation for a doctorate in history at the University of Kentucky.