Monterey Jazz out of Met Mile

Monterey Jazz, eight-length winner of the Grade 3 Texas Mile on April 25, came out of a Wednesday workout at Hollywood Park with tightness in his hind end and will not run in Monday's Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap at Belmont Park, trainer Craig Dollase said Thursday.

On Wednesday, Monterey Jazz worked five furlongs in 1:01.40 at Hollywood Park. He was expected to be flown from California to New York on Friday.

"Bad timing," Dollase said. "We're going to send him up to the clinic; we can't really pinpoint what it is. But we didn't feel right putting him on a plane."

Dollase said Monterey Jazz would be sent to the Alamo Pintado Equine Medical Center in Los Olivos, Calif.

Monterey Jazz would have vied for favoritism - and the early lead - in the Met Mile with Commentator, the 122-pound highweight.

Others pointing to the Met Mile include Divine Park, First Defence, Global Hunter, Lord Snowdon, Premium Wine, and Z Humor. Possible starters include Council Member and Kiss the Kid.