Kathryn the Wise getting over foot issue

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Kathryn the Wise, the 10 3/4-length winner of the La Verdad Stakes at Aqueduct on Jan. 5, was conspicuous by her absence from either the Grade 2 Barbara Fritchie at Laurel Park or the Broadway Stakes at Aqueduct, both on Saturday.

Trainer Chad Brown said that since the La Verdad, Kathryn the Wise had developed a foot issue known as a “shed frog” that kept her out of training for several weeks. A frog is the bottom part of a horse’s foot that acts as a shock absorber.

“She’s back training, nearing her first work back, but that’s the reason for her absence from the work tab,” Brown said.

When right, Kathryn the Wise, a 6-year-old New York-bred daughter of Uncle Mo, is very good. She has won four of six starts, three of those wins coming by 8 1/4 lengths or more. She earned a 103 Beyer Speed Figure for her La Verdad victory.

The next two stakes in New York to which Kathryn the Wise would be eligible are the $150,000 Heavenly Prize, at a mile on March 10, and the Grade 3, $150,000 Distaff, going seven furlongs here on April 5. Brown said the Heavenly Prize might be too soon.

Meanwhile, Brown said he has nothing picked out for Motagally, a 3-year-old colt who won a 1 1/8-mile maiden race by 6 1/2 lengths here on Feb. 2. His final time of 1:52.06 was 1.79 seconds slower than that of Tax, who won the Grade 3 Withers later on that program.

Brown said distance is the strength of Motagally, a son of Union Rags owned by Shadwell Stable.

“Longer the better,” Brown said. “He could stay some longer distances. He’s a big, good-looking horse. He always trained like a horse with ability. Hopefully, he keeps developing.”