Avery Island to be evaluated after coming up lame following work

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Avery Island, a Kentucky Derby prospect owned by the Godolphin Stable, was to be sent to Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Ky. on Tuesday for evaluation after having returned from his most recent workout at the Palm Meadows training center lame, according to trainer Kiaran McLaughlin.

Avery Island launched his 3-year-old campaign with an impressive victory in the Grade 3 Withers at Aqueduct on Feb. 3 and was scheduled to make his next start March 24 in the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds.

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McLaughlin said on Tuesday that equine surgeon Larry Bramlage will evaluate Avery Island.

“He worked great on Friday - it was probably his best work yet - but he came back lame,” McLaughlin said on Tuesday. “We waited to see the next morning what filled up to get an idea what he might have done, but there was nothing. He jogged down the road sound and he seems sound today. But he probably did something to himself, so he’s going to Rood and Riddle today to be evaluated, and we’ll just wait until Dr. Bramlage gets back to us and lets us know what we’re dealing with and how much time we’ll need.

“He was just doing everything right, training great, improving with every work. But these things happen. It’s a shame. Now all we can do is keep our fingers crossed and hope it’s not anything major.”

Last year, Avery Island won the Grade 2 Nashua at Aqueduct and was second there behind Catholic Boy in the Grade 2 Remsen.

McLaughlin also trains Kentucky Derby prospect Enticed for Godolphin.

McLaughlin said that Enticed returned in good order to Palm Beach Downs on Monday following his impressive victory 48 hours earlier in the Grade 3 Gotham at Aqueduct and will return to the track to resume training in the next couple of days.