McKinzie returns to light training

ARCADIA, Calif. – McKinzie was rated as trainer Bob Baffert’s leading 3-year-old hope earlier this year – until Justify came along.

While Justify is undefeated in four starts after an impressive win in the Kentucky Derby on May 5, McKinzie has returned to light training after being sidelined in late March with an undisclosed ailment that kept him from a start in the Santa Anita Derby on April 7.

Baffert said Thursday that McKinzie is tack-walking at his stable at Santa Anita, with no timetable for a return to racing.

Owned by Mike Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman, McKinzie has won 3 of 4 starts, including the Grade 1 Los Alamitos CashCall Futurity last December. McKinzie finished first in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita on March 10, but was disqualified and placed second for causing interference to runner-up Bolt d’Oro in the final strides.

McKinzie has not started since the San Felipe. Bolt d’Oro was later second to Justify in the Santa Anita Derby and 12th in the Kentucky Derby. Bolt d’Oro is expected to start against Justify in the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico on May 19.