Kentucky Derby: Rogue Romance sidelined with foot fracture
Rogue Romance has been withdrawn from consideration for the 137th Kentucky Derby after being diagnosed with a small fracture in the inside quarter of his left front foot, trainer Ken McPeek said Saturday.
Owned by Catesby Clay, Rogue Romance had been pointing to a final prep for the May 7 Derby. McPeek had revealed recently that the colt had incurred a foot bruise, but a closer examination Saturday showed a fracture.
“This came up a couple of weeks ago, and we’ve been trying to hunt it down,” said McPeek. “He X-rayed today, and obviously we have to stop on him. It’s terrible timing, and it’s very disappointing. He’s been one of the easiest horses in the world to train.”
McPeek said Rogue Romance, by Smarty Jones, would be given about 60 to 90 days of rest before resuming training. “It seems to be minor, but the bottom line is we’ve got to give him time,” he said.
Rogue Romance, bred by Clay and Runnymede Farm, finished third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile last fall at Churchill Downs and was most recently third as the favorite in the Feb. 19 Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds. He already had amassed sufficient graded earnings to have a spot in the Derby.