Round Pond pulls out of Black-Eyed Susan

A minor ailment will prevent promising 3-year-old filly Round Pond from running in next week's Black-Eyed Susan Stakes at Pimlico.

According to information posted on the website rockportharbor.com, which contains items from Fox Hill Farms owner Rick Porter, Round Pond developed a slight fever shortly after returning to Philadelphia Park from Oaklawn Park, where she began her career by winning 3 of 4 starts, including two stakes.

When Round Pond did not recuperate as quickly as trainer John Servis had hoped, Servis and Porter talked and decided not to accelerate her training to make the May 20 Black-Eyed Susan, where she would have been among the favorites.

Instead, Round Pond will be pointed to the Grade 1, $250,000 Acorn, a one-mile stakes at Belmont Park on June 4.

After losing her career debut, Round Pond won her maiden with a 93 Beyer Speed Figure on Feb. 27. She stretched out from six furlongs to 1 1/16 miles to win the Honeybee on March 20 and most recently captured the Grade 2 Fantasy, also at 1 1/16 miles, with a 94 Beyer. Her two stakes wins have been by a combined margin of 10 1/4 lengths.

Round Pond has not had a workout since her Fantasy win on April 15.