McLaughlin says Ajaaweed a Florida Derby scratch

Kiaran McLaughlin will officially become the jockey agent for Luis Saez on Monday. When exactly his training career ends is not quite certain.

McLaughlin entered two maidens for Sunday at Gulfstream Park, and both wound up on the also-eligible list for their respective race. Both Prairie Wings, a filly entered in the fourth, and Ashiham, a colt entered in the sixth, would be live if they got in.

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McLaughlin had three horses entered for Saturday’s card at Gulfstream, including Ajaaweed in the Grade 1, $750,000 Curlin Florida Derby. However, McLaughlin said Friday that Ajaaweed, runner-up in the Grade 2 Remsen at Aqueduct and third in the Grade 3 Sam F. Davis at Tampa, would be scratched.

“He had a little bit of an issue this morning,” McLaughlin said. “It’s not a big deal. He was real dull, wasn’t quite 100 percent.”

McLaughlin said he recommended to Rick Nichols, racing manager of owner Shadwell Stable, that Ajaaweed scratch, and he agreed.

It had previously been announced that the Shadwell horses under McLaughlin’s care would be transferred to Todd Pletcher. McLaughlin said he wasn’t sure if Ajaaweed would be sent to Shadwell Farm in Kentucky first to be evaluated before moving to Pletcher.

McLaughlin said that Spa City, who finished seventh in the Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby and is owned by Godolphin Racing, has been transferred to Brad Cox. He worked a half-mile in 49.20 seconds on Friday at Keeneland.

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McLaughlin announced earlier this year that he would be giving up training to become Saez’s agent. Difficulties with the New York State and U.S. departments of labor combined with the high expense of doing business in New York contributed to that decision.

“It’s been a little hard on my help, leaving all these guys that have been with me so long,” said McLaughlin, who noted that his brother Neal and sister-in-law Trish were with him for 26 years. “Everybody has a spot to go except Neal and Trish. They want to take a break. It’s sad, but I’m excited about the next chapter.”

Saez had been represented by Richie DePass, who is retiring. Saez won five races on Thursday at Gulfstream Park and took the first two races on Friday’s card.