Mage, Military Order and Forte feature in our weekly digest of recent international racing news
Preakness: Mage faces six as First Mission is scratched
USA: Kentucky Derby winner Mage will tackle the next leg of the Triple Crown, the $1.65m Preakness Stakes, against only six rivals at Pimlico on Saturday [May 20] after chief danger First Mission was scratched.
Trained by Gustavo Delgado, Mage is the only horse to have run at Churchill Downs to follow on to Maryland. “It’s the greatest feeling just bringing the Derby winner,” said Gustava Delgado Jr, assistant to his father. "We’re just going day-by-day, race-by-race, but it does give you confidence. He’s competitive – 8-5 – not 50-1, 25-1.”
Mage’s Preakness task was made easier the day before the race when Godolphin’s First Mission– second choice on the morning line – was scratched with what was described as an “unspecified left-hind ankle issue”.
Godolphin USA’s director of bloodstock Michael Banahan said: “There was just a little concern by the 1/ST Racing [track owner] veterinarian team. They thought maybe it was a minor issue with the left-hind ankle.
“You just really couldn’t do proper diagnostics onsite, on the track,” Banaham added, speaking to the Maryland Jockey Club's media team. “So we decided collaboratively that the best thing to do was to bring him down to Rood & Riddle [equine hospital in Lexington] and let Dr. (Larry) Bramlage do a full exam. He was doing great at Pimlico. But that’s the way it goes.
“It’s unfortunate, but we know he’s a very talented horse and I’m sure we’ll have big days down the road with him.”
Bob Baffert, who was barred from having runners in Kentucky, will seek a record eighth Preakness Stakes success with National Treasure under John Velazquez.
Godolphin’s Military Order new favourite for Epsom Derby
GB: Godolphin’s Military Order, trained by Charlie Appleby, became the new favourite for the Epsom Derby after securing victory in the Lingfield Derby Trial on Saturday [May 13], run on the all-weather track due to the turf course being waterlogged.
The full-brother to the stable’s 2021 Derby winner Adayar beat Waipiro by a length and a quarter.
“It was a great ride by William [Buick] and Military Order has learned plenty again today,” said Appleby. “He will have gained valuable experience from the run and hopefully it’s all systems go for the Derby now.”
Creative Force suffers fatal injury at York
GB: Godolphin's Creative Force, who landed the G1 Champions Sprint in 2021 and finished third in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Keeneland last year, suffered a fatal injury when breaking down in the G2 Duke of York Stakes on Wednesday [May 17].
Trainer Charlie Appleby said: “It’s a very sad day for everyone at Godolphin to lose a horse who always wore his heart on his sleeve and put up great performances year after year."
Forte DQ from Hopeful Stakes, Pletcher suspended and fined
USA: Long-time Kentucky Derby favorite Forte has been disqualified from his 2022 success in the G1 Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga and trainer Todd Pletcher issued with a ten-day suspension and $1,000 fine by the New York State Gaming Commission.
The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and Florida Derby winner tested positive for meloxicam, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication, a substance Pletcher said had never been administered to the colt as he announced he planned to appeal.
Flavien Prat to ride Country Grammer in Hollywood Gold Cup
USA: The 2022 Dubai World Cup winner Country Grammer will have a new jockey aboard when he contests the Hollywood Gold Cup at Santa Anita [May 29].
Flavien Prat will take over from Frankie Dettori, the first time he will have partnered the horse since finishing second in last year’s Saudi Cup.
Songline pips Sodashi to win second shot at Breeders’ Cup
Japan: Songline will bid to repeat last year’s success in the Yasuda Kinen [June 4] after earning a start in the Breeder’s Cup Filly & Mare Turf by defeating Sodashi in the Victoria Mile at Tokyo racecourse on Sunday [May 13], a ‘Win and You’re In’ race. Songline had been due to travel to Keeneland last year but was ruled out by an inflamed epiglottis.
New Approach returns to Jim Bolger’s stud
Ireland: The 2008 Epsom Derby winner New Approach has returned to Jim Bolger, his former trainer, after 14 years at Darley’s Dalham Hall Stud. He will continue to stand as a stallion at Bolger’s Redmondstown Stud in Co Wexford alongside his Classic-winning son Dawn Approach.
Elsewhere in racing …
USA: Eighth horse death at Churchill Downs meet More here
USA: Robertino Diodoro suspended 30 days over TCO2 positive More here
Australia: Ciaron Maher expands capacity in Sydney More here
Hong Kong: Sillveste de Sousa appeals against 10-month sentence More here
Hong Kong: Twilight meetings scheduled to enhance horse welfare More here
New Zealand: Sam Bergerson joins Mark Walker in training partnership More here
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