Travers winner Afleet Express will miss the rest of his 3-year-old season after suffering a small tear to the suspensory ligament in his left fore. The son of Afleet Alex was training for the Jockey Club Gold Cup on Oct. 2.

Afleet Express, who nosed out Fly Down to take the Mid-Summer Derby in thrilling fashion on Aug. 28, is expected to make a full recovery and return to action as a 4-year-old.

Fly Down could still represent the division in the Gold Cup, the centerpiece of Belmont's Championship Preview Day. The race is also expected to include top older stars Blame and Rail Trip.

Of the winners of the five major spring/summer events for 3-year-olds (Kentucky Derby, Preakness, Belmont, Haskell and Travers, all Grade I events worth $1 million or more), only one is left standing to tackle older horses this fall. Derby winner Super Saver is on the shelf with condylar bruising, while Belmont winner Drosselmeyer went to the sidelines earlier this summer with an ankle injury. Both are expected to return in 2011. Afleet Express is the latest defection from the crop, clearing the path to the divisional title for current leader Lookin At Lucky, who captured both the Preakness and Haskell.