Luis Saez not traveling to Fair Grounds, Dubai

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Jockey Luis Saez has made the decision not to travel to Fair Grounds this weekend for the Louisiana Derby program or fly to Dubai the following week for the rich Dubai World Cup card, his agent, Richard Depass, revealed Monday.

“Luis said he’s worried about flying and possibly contracting the virus and transmitting it to his family when he returned home,” explained Depass, who will retire as Saez’s agent at the end of the Gulfstream Park meet. “He first got the idea on his trip to Oaklawn last weekend with Javier Castellano. He said the planes were packed, the airport was packed, and he’s concerned there is too much chance he could get sick. He is worried about the welfare of his family and is putting family over money in both these cases.”

Saez was scheduled to ride Ny Traffic for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. in the Louisiana Derby along with several other stakes races Saturday at Fair Grounds. He also was committed to ride War Story in the $12 million Dubai World Cup, key contender Mr Freeze in the Godolphin Mile, and Shotski in the UAE Derby the following week in Dubai.

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Depass said Saez could pick up the mount on Ajaaweed in the Florida Derby, to be run March 28 at Gulfstream Park, the same day as the Dubai World Cup. Ajaaweed is trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, who will take over as Saez’s agent upon Depass’s retirement at the end of the month.