Chub Wagon '50-50' for Princess Rooney due to minor illness
Trainer Guadalupe Preciado reported Wednesday that unbeaten Chub Wagon is only "50-50" to compete in the Grade 2, $350,000 Princess Rooney Invitational at Gulfstream on July 3 due to a recent illness.
The 4-year-old daughter of Hey Chub ran her streak to seven with a game victory in the Shine Again Stakes at Pimlico on June 13. She earned a 92 Beyer Speed Figure that afternoon after denying Maryland-bred champion Hello Beautiful following a thrilling stretch drive.
"We got a little problem with her blood, and she started to get a little sick," said Preciado. "She never got a fever, but we pulled blood and she got a little infection. Right now, we're not sure if we're going to Florida. We'll have a better idea Monday. If she's not 100 percent, we're not going."
Preciado doesn't believe the illness will cost Chub Wagon much time. The ship to South Florida is a greater concern. "Another thing about the race at Gulfstream is how far it is to get her there. If I go over there, I'd like to fly her."
Preciado mentioned the $100,000 Dashing Beauty Stakes at Delaware on July 10 as an option if she doesn't run in the Princess Rooney.
"Right now, she's looking good. We started galloping her and we're going to push a little bit to see how she's reacting. If she comes back good, that means that she's okay.”
The Princess Rooney is a Win and You're In for the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint at Del Mar this fall.