Rated by Merit sidelined indefinitely, off Derby trail
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HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Rated by Merit, the undefeated local 2-year-old sensation many had hoped to see competing in Kentucky Derby preps like the Holy Bull and Fountain of Youth this winter, remains sidelined indefinitely and is off the Derby trail, his trainer, Michael Yates, confirmed Friday.
Rated by Merit, a homebred son of Battalion Runner owned by St. Elias Stable, won all four of his starts by a combined margin of nearly 26 lengths during his juvenile season. He completed his perfect campaign by sweeping all three legs of the open division of the Florida Sire Series, posting Beyer Speed Figures of 92 or higher in each of his four races. The 99 Beyer he earned for winning the seven-furlong Affirmed here Oct. 19 was the top figure posted by any 2-year-old in North America in 2024.
But Yates said routine X-rays after Rated by Merit’s 6 1/2-length triumph in the 1 1/16-mile In Reality on Nov. 30 showed the horse had some mild bone bruising, which will necessitate a longer-than-planned layoff this winter.
“Originally, we planned on giving him 30 days off after his fourth start, but after taking some radiographs following his last race to have a baseline moving forward, we discovered the bone bruising, which required giving him an extended 30 days off,” Yates explained. “We will re-evaluate the situation at that point, but obviously he will not be making any of the Derby preps. Naturally, we’re all very disappointed, but first and foremost in the decision-making process was to do what is in the best interests for the horse.”
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