Kingly, Chasing Yesterday not shipping for stakes

NEW ORLEANS – Bob Baffert said in a text message Sunday that the two horses he entered in stakes races Saturday at Fair Grounds weren’t shipping here from California.

Both horses drew poor outside posts in their respective races, the filly Chasing Yesterday post 10 for the Grade 2, $200,000 Rachel Alexandra and the colt Kingly post 13 for the Grade 2, $400,000 Risen Star Stakes.

Kingly would have been a mid-priced consideration for the Risen Star, but Chasing Yesterday probably would have been favored in the Rachel Alexandra. A half-sister to Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, Chasing Yesterday has won three races in a row, most recently capturing the Grade 1 Starlet on Dec. 8 at Los Alamitos Racecourse.

Kingly’s defection allows the Risen Star’s lone also-eligible, Gun It, to draw into the field if his connections desire. Likely favorite War of Will moves in at least one spot to post 13 and could slide even closer to the rail since Manny Wah, trainer Wayne Catalano said Sunday, isn’t a certain runner. Catalano also is contemplating taking Liora out of the Rachel Alexandra.