Roman Centurian gets 45-day rest

Roman Centurian, who was withdrawn from consideration for the Santa Anita and Arkansas derbys this month, will be rested for 45 days and is currently in Kentucky, trainer Simon Callaghan said Sunday.

Roman Centurian was flown to Kentucky last week. Earlier this year, the colt was second in the Grade 3 Robert Lewis Stakes on Jan. 30 and fourth in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes on March 6 at Santa Anita.

“We’ll give him a little bit of time,” Callaghan said. “He’s got a little bone bruising.”

Owned by Qatar Racing and Don Alberto Stable, Roman Centurian was scratched from the Santa Anta Derby on April 3 after Callaghan said he was unhappy with the colt’s training. The Arkansas Derby on Saturday was briefly under consideration last week.

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The Callaghan-trained Maxim Rate finished fifth of six in the Grade 1 Jenny Wiley Stakes at a mile on turf for fillies and mares at Keeneland on Saturday in her 2021 debut. Maxim Rate (12-1) was second early, but faded to finish six lengths behind race winner Juliet Foxtrot on a yielding turf course.

“She didn’t seem to like the soft turf,” Callaghan said.

Maxim Rate is expected to start in the Grade 1 Gamely Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on turf at Santa Anita on May 31.

“We think the timing to the Gamely will be good,” Callaghan said.

Maxim Rate won the Grade 2 Goldikova Stakes at a mile on turf at Santa Anita last October and was fifth in the Grade 1 Matriarch Stakes in her final start of 2020 last November.