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ELMONT, N.Y. – Gemologist, the Wood Memorial winner who finished 16th in the Kentucky Derby, has a badly bruised left front foot and will miss the Belmont Stakes, according to Elliott Walden, president, CEO, and racing manager of WinStar Farm.
Walden was hopeful that Gemologist could be ready for a summer campaign that would include the Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park on July 29, with a possible prep in the Dwyer at Belmont on June 30.
As is custom with WinStar horses who run in the Kentucky Derby, Gemologist was sent to WinStar in Lexington for a week of light training and time turned out in a round pen. On Monday, however, Walden noted that Gemologist was “dead lame” in his left front. Walden said tests showed one spot just off the frog “right in the sole that was very tender.”
Walden said that two sets of X-rays “from the knee down” were negative on Gemologist.
Walden said he hoped to keep Gemologist at WinStar for about two weeks before shipping him to trainer Todd Pletcher at Belmont the first week of June.
Walden said there were no signs of anything wrong with Gemologist entering the Derby. Gemologist had won all five of his previous races before the Derby.
“As Todd said, ‘I’ve been beat many ways, but I sure didn’t see that coming,’ ” Walden said of Gemologist’s dull Derby effort. “This horse wouldn’t have laid an egg without an excuse.”
Meanwhile, Pletcher said no decision has been made regarding the Belmont Stakes for El Padrino, the Risen Star winner who finished 13th in the Kentucky Derby.
All I can say about Pletcher's training is "Another one bites the dust". The guy gets over 100 well bred 2yo's a year and look where most of them are, injured. I think there is a pattern here.
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Oh Man... And I am no Lukas/Pletcher lover... How many young Colts are out and what are the f'n Buyerzzz on that. This is like body count .....
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Legit excuse now for KD all, the proof will be next race and I am still very :high of this GEM" Good that the horse had to tell them, don;'t think they would have known, this horse is very intelligent.....better days ahead if he stays healthy, time will tell, and I can hold my breath with this super horse.....other than running in the KD injured, he un beaten.
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The only excuse Gemologist had was that he just wasn't good enough. If Alpha had run a big one then I would be inclined to forgive Gemologist's effort but the fact that Alpha, who sat far off the pace, ran 12th, speaks volumes about the Wood Memorial.
Basically Gemologist was a hyped up horse who hadn't faced anything the likes of the Derby field. Just not on their level.
Even the west coast's B team of Liaison and Rousing Sermon took it to him and Alpha.
The Wood was weak. Toss Teeth of the Dog on Preakness Saturday.
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I think the thing that cost Gemologist the most was he just got too close to the early speed. I'm still very impressed with Bodemeister holding second, but my overall prediction of any horse within 5 lengths of the pace at the 1/2 mile marker in the Derby would finish off the board pretty much held up. I'm not ashamed to admit that I covered Gemologist top to bottom, but I knew I was in trouble when I saw how close he got early. I was hoping he'd be further back.
The bruise could have caused issues during the race, but more than likely the swelling didn't occur until after and wasn't a factor. I hope he makes it back to the races sooner than later, because I do still think he's a good horse and could be a player later in the season.
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Pletcher now 2 for about 65 in TC races
what a great trainer
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The excuse was I'll Have Another and Bodemiester. Ha, ha!
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If he misses more than a couple of weeks then he has more than a hoof bruise.
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Excuse!
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best horse on the track derby day!
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SCAT PATTY can lead gate to wire at a short price if she reproduces her most recent start. She ran well all three starts since claimed by Vladimir Cerin, including a runner-up finish last out at a six-furlong distance slightly out of reach. She finished more than four lengths clear of third, returns at the same class level ($25k claiming, N2L), and shortens to five and a half furlongs. On paper, she is long gone. METAXA will keep the top choice company while dropping in class from maiden-40 starter. CASSANDRA LYNNE has regressed since her winning debut, but drops to a new low.
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