Majestic Harbor sidelined with leg injury

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Majestic Harbor, the winner of the Grade 2 Alysheba at Churchill in May, has been turned out at the LaCroix equine rehabilitation facility near LaGrange, Ky., after suffering a minor leg injury. Owned by the Gallant Stable partnership, Majestic Harbor has not raced since finishing a close third in the Grade 1 Stephen Foster on June 18.

The injury is “not necessarily career-ending except for the fact he’s an 8-year-old intact horse,” said Loren Hebel-Osborne, a partner in Gallant Stable. “We’re going to consider his future as a stallion. He’d love to keep his racing job, but we have to decide what’s in his best interest.”

Majestic Harbor, by Rockport Harbor, has been based mostly at Churchill with trainer Paul McGee during a 42-race career in which he has earned nearly $1.3 million. He won the Grade 1 Gold Cup at Santa Anita in June 2014 when trained by Sean McCarthy.

◗ Jockey Ty Kennedy won back-to-back races on the Sunday card with Neak Up On Ya ($16.80) and Grace At Midnight ($13.20). They were his first winners at Churchill.

“Winning under the twin spires is something you always dream about as a rider,” said Kennedy, a 22-year-old native of Kansas. “I’m just grateful to everyone who’s helped me get to this point.”

Kennedy rode his first winner at Will Rogers Downs in Oklahoma nearly two years ago and has traveled extensively since then, including stints in Southern California and Iowa. His agent, Julio Espinoza, said Kennedy intends to make Kentucky his primary base and will give Oaklawn Park a try in January.

◗ Jockey Joe Rocco Jr. was scheduled to undergo an MRI on Thursday on the wrist injury he suffered in a spill on the opening-day card last Friday, said agent Jay Fedor.

◗ The infield pagoda used as the Kentucky Derby winner’s stand is undergoing a major restoration. It’s scheduled to be completed in time for the fall meet, which starts Oct. 30.

◗ Churchill lost four turf races to soggy conditions on opening weekend – two Saturday and two Sunday – but there’s only sunny skies and ideal fall weather in the local forecast through early next week.