Constitution to get freshening at WinStar

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Trainer Todd Pletcher said Friday that Constitution will be sent to WinStar Farm to “freshen up” a bit after being taken out of consideration for the Dubai World Cup due to a minor shin injury discovered after a routine workout last weekend at Palm Beach Downs.

“Obviously, it’s a disappointment we couldn’t go to Dubai; we were looking forward to the opportunity,” said Pletcher. “But you don’t want to travel across the world unless he’s perfect.”

Pletcher said Constitution, the winner of the Grade 1 Donn Handicap in his 2015 debut, also had some shin problems as a 3-year-old.

“He’s a very sound horse, it’s just unfortunate he’s had some minor issues right before some big races,” said Pletcher. “We’ll just back off him a little bit, let him freshen up at WinStar, and then pick him back up when we head back north this spring.”

Pletcher also said that the undefeated 3-year-old Khozan underwent surgery Monday to repair a medial sesamoid fracture in his right hind leg. Khozan was among the leading Kentucky Derby contenders at the time of his injury.

“We got a very optimistic report coming out of the surgery and hope to have him back in training at Saratoga this summer,” said Pletcher.