Regal Ransom out with tendon injury

ELMONT, N.Y. - Regal Ransom, part of the favored Godolphin/Darley Stable entry for Saturday's Grade 2 Woody Stephens Stakes at Belmont Park, was scratched from that race due to a tendon injury in his right hind hock, his connections said.

Sheikh Mohammed was still represented in the race with Everyday Heroes, a recent purchase. Everyday Heroes, trained by Tim Ritchey, ran second behind Munnings for Darley Stable.

According to Rick Mettee, the assistant trainer to Saeed bin Suroor, Regal Ransom had inflammation in the tendon in the back of the hock, commonly referred to as popping a curb. Mettee said Regal Ransom would miss the summer races, but could return in the fall.

"Sometimes they cool out quickly, but generally you're talking about some time off," Mettee said. "It's a soft tissue injury. It's not as serious as a bowed tendon. They do come back and usually are the same horse."

Regal Ransom, a son of Distorted Humor, won the UAE Derby in March for Godolphin before finishing eighth in the Kentucky Derby. Regal Ransom cost $675,000 at auction and began his career in the barn of Kiaran McLaughlin.