Georgie Boy to miss Gold Rush

Georgie Boy, the top sprinter in California and the best horse scheduled to run April 25 at Hollywood Park on $1.3 million Gold Rush card, has been temporarily sidelined with a quarter crack that knocks him out of the $150,000 Tiznow Stakes opening weekend of the spring-summer meet.

Trainer Kathy Walsh said Georgie Boy popped the quarter Friday on the inside of his right front. "It's just a small one and not a big deal," she said. "I could put a patch on it, but I'm going to grow it out and get it down. It's a long year, and I want to give him plenty of time."

It is not the first time Georgie Boy has had a quarter crack. Walsh said the duration of his current setback depends on how long it takes his foot to grow out.

"We're going to give him a little more time on it," she said without being specific.

A 4-year-old gelding, Georgie Boy has won six races and $798,634 from 11 starts, including sharp come-from-behind wins his last two starts at Santa Anita - the Grade 2 San Carlos Handicap on Feb. 21, and $300,000 Sunshine Millions Sprint on Jan. 24.

Walsh and owner-breeder George Schwary were considering the 7 1/2-furlong Tiznow as a prep race for the Grade 1, $600,000 Metropolitan Handicap on May 25 at Belmont Park.

"I still have that in mind," Walsh said.