Horse Racing News is the source of thoroughbred racing information with horse racing odds, betting tips, racing picks, race results, and handicapping. Latest news and articles on top horse racing contenders, jockeys, trainers, three-year-olds, race tracks, and major stakes races such as the Triple Crown races: the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes as well as the Breeders' Cup horse races.Injured War Pass Will Miss 2008 Kentucky Derby
Posted on Saturday, April 19th, 2008
Last year’s 2-year-old champion, War Pass, will miss the 2008 Kentucky Derby due to a leg injury that is likely to sideline the colt for a few months.
Horse trainer Nick Zito said Saturday that X-rays revealed a small fracture in the left front ankle of the 2007 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner.
“It’s unfortunate—it just wasn’t meant to be, maybe,” said Nick Zito, a two-time winning Kentucky Derby trainer. “It’s a shame because he has all the ability in the world. He’s one of the best I’ve ever had.”
Zito said the fracture occurred recently and that a veterinarian suggested the colt probably injured the ankle in the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct, where War Pass finished second behind Tale of Ekati.
War Pass, owned by Robert LaPenta, was unbeaten in four races in his championship campaign and had one win in three starts this year. The colt has earnings of $1.58 million and led all 2008 Kentucky Derby contenders in graded earnings with $1.47 million.
Zito said equine surgeon Dr. Larry Bramlage would be consulted early next week. The trainer said it’s too soon to know if surgery will be needed, but said the colt will likely be sidelined for a while.
“So what I’ve got to do is give him a few months off, see the healing process and go through all the motions,” he said.
Even with War Pass’ injury, the Kentucky Derby dream isn’t over for Zito and LaPenta. They have another 2008 Kentucky Derby contender in Cool Coal Man, winner of the Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream Park.
Another Zito-trained Derby hopeful is Anak Nakal, who won the Kentucky Jockey Club last fall at Churchill Downs.
"Injured War Pass Will Miss 2008 Kentucky Derby" was posted on Saturday, April 19th, 2008 at 9:14 pm and is filed under Horse Racing Industry, Horses, USA Horse Racing. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
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