Rose recuperating from amputation

MIAMI - Trainer Harold Rose had his left leg amputated above the knee last weekend because of complications from diabetes, according to his son, Barry. He is currently in a rehabilitation facility and is recuperating well, his son said.

"Dad had been suffering for several months due to complications from his diabetes," said the younger Rose. "He finally wound up contracting an infection in his leg which made it necessary to amputate."

Harold Rose, 91, has owned, bred, and trained a number of local favorites over the past several decades, including My G.P., Rexson's Hope, and Sir Leon. His biggest claim to fame came with his homebred Hal's Hope, a two-time Grade 1 winner who upset the Florida Derby and competed in both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness in 2000. Hal's Hope had to be euthanized earlier this year.

"Dad is feeling much better since the operation because for the first time in three months he's not in any pain," said Barry Rose. "He also remains very much involved in the day-to-day operation of the stable. He'll be fitted for a prosthesis shortly and hopefully can be back at the track in about another four weeks."

Ziadie won't see his Million horses run

Trainer Ralph Ziadie will send out key contenders in two of Saturday's six Florida Million stakes - Trust N Luck in the $150,000 Jack Price Juvenile and Royal Lad in the $150,000 Jack Dudley Sprint Handicap. Ziadie, however, will not be on hand to see either horse run as he was to embark on a 14-day cruise Wednesday.

Trust N Luck will turn back from two turns to seven furlongs for the Jack Price, entering the race off an impressive victory in the 1 1/16-mile In Reality Stakes.

"He has natural speed so I am not concerned about turning him back to a sprint," said Ziadie. "Maybe if the race was six furlongs I'd be worried. But not at seven."

The 3-year-old Royal Lad will carry 117 pounds, three fewer than highweight Tour of the Cat, and take on older horses in the Jack Dudley Sprint.

"There's really no place else to run him at the moment," said Ziadie. "There are no 3-year-old sprint stakes here the rest of the year. But he's doing well and he did beat older horses in a little overnight handicap in his last start."

Both Trust N Luck and Royal Lad tuned up for their appearance on Florida Million Day by working five furlongs on Monday morning. Royal Lad covered the distance in 1:01.20 and Royal Lad worked in 1:01.40.