Centre Court out of action until summer due to bruised foot

Centre Court exited her fifth-place finish in the Grade 2 Churchill Distaff Turf Mile with a bruised foot that will keep her out of action until this summer, said trainer Rusty Arnold.

Centre Court was never a factor as the 7-5 favorite in the Derby Day fixture May 3. The 5-year-old mare is a multiple graded stakes winner and an earner of $928,548.

“She lost her left front shoe during the race, although we don’t know exactly where,” Arnold said. “She came back very well, except for the bruise. We’ll back off her until Saratoga and hope to have a nice fall run before she goes home.”

◗ Mike Maker and his Louisville-based clients Skychai Racing and Starlight Racing caught some folks by surprise Friday when revealing that General a Rod will run in the Preakness off his 11th-place finish in the Derby.

Maker also sent out two other horses in the Derby – Harry’s Holiday, who was 16th, and Vicar’s in Trouble, who was last of 19. Maker said Friday no plans have been made for either colt.

◗ Embellishing Bob, the winner of the April 26 Derby Trial upon the disqualification of Bayern, will run next in the Grade 2, $500,000 Woody Stephens Stakes on the June 7 Belmont Stakes undercard, said trainer Steve Margolis.

Embellishing Bob, bred and owned by Martin Cherry, was coming off a six-furlong maiden victory at Fair Grounds when awarded victory in the one-mile Trial. The Woody Stephens goes at seven furlongs.