Celestine, Ironicus to miss stakes

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Celestine, the dominant winner of the Grade 1 Just a Game at Belmont on June 11, was not among the 10 fillies and mares entered Wednesday for Saturday’s Grade 1 Diana Stakes at Saratoga.

“She had a foot that was bothering her a little bit,” said trainer Bill Mott. “We just can’t make it. She went a week there where she wasn’t doing any good. We weren’t doing well enough to run.”

Mott was noncommittal as to what might be next for Celestine. One possible spot is the Grade 2, $400,000 Ballston Spa here on Aug. 27.

Ironicus will miss Fourstardave

Ironicus, the runner-up to Flintshire in the Grade 1 Manhattan in his most recent start, will not make the Grade 1, $500,000 Fourstardave Handicap here on Aug. 13, trainer Shug McGaughey said Wednesday.

Ironicus was taken out of training briefly with foot issues, and after starting back galloping, he is now simply jogging, McGaughey said.

“I had galloped him and then backed up,” McGaughey said. “Just trying to get his feet right. No Fourstardave. Hopefully, Bernard Baruch.”

The Grade 2, $250,000 Bernard Baruch is run on closing day, Sept. 5. Ironicus set a Mellon-turf-course record for 1 1/16 miles in winning the Bernard Baruch last year.