In a move that will prevent Forte from being allowed to run in the Preakness Stakes (G1), the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, acting in accordance with Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority standards, issued a release May 8 saying that the champion 2-year-old male of 2022 will be placed on the vet’s list for 14 days.
Beyond being on the list for 14 days, in which a horse cannot compete in races, Forte will then have to complete a satisfactory workout and pass a blood test. Awaiting blood test results typically adds another seven-to-10 days to the process before a horse can come off the list and again be eligible to race.
Forte was scratched from the Kentucky Derby (G1) on the morning of the race, Saturday, May 6. Forte had been listed as the 3-1 morning-line favorite for the Derby. The KHRC issued a statement Monday that said regulatory veterinarians made the call to scratch Forte the morning of the Kentucky Derby.
“Forte was scratched from the Kentucky Derby by KHRC veterinarians following Saturday’s routine soundness checks,” the statement said. “As is the case with all KHRC veterinary scratches related to soundness, and pursuant to HISA Rule 2241(a), this places Forte on a mandatory 14-day veterinary list.
“After 14 days, the requirements for removal from the list include a satisfactory workout performed for a state regulatory veterinarian and a negative blood sample result.”
Kentucky rules say the count for mandatory days on the vet’s list begin “the day after the horse was scratched or excused.” HISA rules do not specifically cite the date the count begins. Emails and calls to the KHRC and HISA to verify standards were not immediately returned. With the workout and testing requirement after the 14 days though, Forte will not be able to come off the vet’s list ahead of the Preakness at Pimlico Race Course.
Like Kentucky, Maryland operates under HISA standards, meaning Forte’s stay on the vet’s list would be in place at Pimlico as well.
BloodHorse could not immediately reach the connections of Forte for reaction.
According to KHRC records, this is the second time Forte has been placed on the vet’s list in the past few weeks, although the reason for that initial appearance, April 22, on the vet’s list in Kentucky is not listed. Oddly enough, the KHRC report for May 4 lists Forte as going on the list April 22 and coming off May 6 but a report issued April 25 makes no mention of Forte being on the vet’s list.
The KHRC statement Monday does not agree with the listing in the official chart for the 149th Kentucky Derby. The chart lists five scratches from the classic and attributes each of those decisions not to run to the “trainer.” The official Kentucky Derby chart lists the scratches from the race and the decision-maker in parentheses as follows: Continuar (trainer), Forte (trainer), Lord Miles (trainer), Practical Move (trainer), and Skinner (trainer).
While this is the official information listed on the chart, it does not match the reality of what occurred. On the day that Forte was scratched, Churchill Downs issued the following release: “Forte was scratched from Kentucky Derby 149 Saturday at 9 a.m. by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission state veterinarian. Co-owner Mike Repole stated that the state veterinarians had concerns about a bruised right front foot.”
The KHRC state vet is Nick Smith and he was viewed by onlookers examining Forte the morning of May 6 at Churchill.
Lord Miles trains May 2 at Churchill Downs
In the case of Lord Miles. Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. said the morning of May 4 that he planned to run some of his horses, including Lord Miles, May 6 at Churchill. The afternoon of May 4, the stewards released this statement: “For the betterment of racing, the health and welfare of our equine athletes, and the safety of our jockeys, all horses trained by trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. are scratched effective immediately and until further notice. This action is taken after consultation with Mr. Joseph, and includes Lord Miles who was entered into the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby.”
Yet on the Equibase chart, Lord Miles also was reported to have been scratched by the trainer.
In stakes races trainers have the option to scratch from a race for any reason. The difference in how a scratch from a stakes race is reported is important. When a scratch is attributed to the trainer, the horse avoids a stay on the vet’s list. When a regulatory vet makes the scratch, the horse involved is placed on the vet’s list.
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