Kentucky Derby next for Pants On Fire after Louisiana Derby victory

NEW ORLEANS – Both Pants On Fire, the upset winner of the Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds on Saturday, and Mucho Macho Man, who finished a close third despite losing his right front shoe at the start of the race, were reported in good condition Sunday morning by their trainers.

Pants On Fire and stablemate Nacho Business, who finished eighth, were on a van early Sunday morning, bound for the Palm Meadows training center in Florida.

Their trainer, Kelly Breen, said Pants On Fire, who earned $600,000 in graded stakes money for the victory, would make his next start in the Kentucky Derby on May 7.

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Mucho Macho Man was “doing good” Sunday morning, according to his trainer, Kathy Ritvo, who was relieved Mucho Macho Man did not do any apparent damage to his right front hoof, despite losing his shoe at the start of the race and running without it for 1 1/8 miles.

Ritvo theorized that Mucho Macho Man overreached with his right hind foot at the start of the race, tearing off the right front shoe.

“He tore it off good,” Ritvo said. “Right from the start.”

Mucho Macho Man will remain here for two more days before flying to Florida on Tuesday, Ritvo said.