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Forte on the muscle when schooling in the paddock at Churchill Downs
Despite Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher and co-owner Mike Repole’s statements that Juvenile Champion and scratched Kentucky Derby favorite Forte will target the Preakness Stakes on May 20, a statement from the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission seems to have placed that possibility in doubt.
Released just before 4:00 p.m. on Monday, May 8, the statement reads: “Forte was scratched from the Kentucky Derby by KHRC veterinarians following Saturday’s routine soundness checks. 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.”
Forte galloped at Churchill Downs on Monday morning, with Pletcher reporting that the son of Violence was moving “very comfortably” and that the foot bruise which ultimately caused his scratch from the Derby has “completely subsided.”
The trainer said his plan was to work Forte on Friday or Saturday to determine whether the Preakness would be in play, but the KHRC statement would suggest that won’t be possible.
Calls to Repole have been unanswered at this time. This story will be updated.
HISA Rule 2241(a) reads:
Duration of Stay on the Veterinarians’ List: Horses placed on the Veterinarians’ List in accordance with Rule 2240 shall remain on the Veterinarians’ List as follows: (a) Horses placed on the Veterinarians’ List for unsoundness or Epistaxis shall remain on the list for 14 days.
HISA Rule 2240 reads:
2240. Veterinarians’ List (a) A Veterinarians’ List shall be maintained by the Authority of all Horses that are determined to be ineligible to compete in a Covered Horserace in any jurisdiction until released by a Regulatory Veterinarian. (b) The following Horses shall be placed on the Veterinarians’ List until removed in accordance with Rules 2241 and 2242:(1) Horses affected by illness, physical distress, medical compromise, unsoundness, injury, infirmity, heat exhaustion, positive test or overage, administration of a medication invoking a mandatory stand down time, administration of Shock Wave Therapy, positive Out-of-Competition test or any other assessment or determination by Regulatory Veterinarians that such Horse is unfit to race.
