LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A recurring left front shin problem knocked Square Eddie out of Saturday’s Kentucky Derby.
Trainer Doug O’Neill said Tuesday morning the colt developed a hot spot in the shin. The injury kept Square Eddie off the Derby trail earlier this year before he finished third in his last start, April 18 in the Lexington Stakes.
“We decided to err on the side of caution,” O’Neill said. “He worked fantastic the other day and came out of it with a little heat in his shin and we decided it was better to give him a break than take our chances.”
Another spot in the expected full field of 20 opened when trainer Todd Pletcher withheld Take the Points, opting instead to target the Preakness for the fourth-place finisher in the Santa Anita Derby, after consulting with owner Jack Wolf.
“We weighed all the factors,” Pletcher said. “When we looked at it from all angles, we decided the best way to go with Take the Points was the Preakness. That race gives him two extra weeks, a shorter distance (1 1-16 miles) to work with and a track where we think his tactical style will work to best advantage. In the end, we just thought it was the right choice.”
With two defections Tuesday, Atomic Rain moved into the field.
Rachel tops the Oaks.
Rachel Alexandra is the 3-5 favorite for the $500,000 Kentucky Oaks, the companion event for 3-year-old fillies Friday at Churchill Downs.
A winner of four straight stakes, Rachel Alexandra, with Calvin Borel aboard, will face seven rivals when she breaks from post No. 6.
Footnotes.
Thundershowers are expected every day through Friday. The bright spot is race day, with the forecast calling for clearing skies with temperatures in the low 70s.
• I Want Revenge, the probable favorite for the Kentucky Derby, zipped a half-mile in 47.20 seconds, the fastest of the 49 workouts at the distance.
The Associated Press
