Ruler's Court out of Derby

Ruler's Court, the winner of the Norfolk Stakes at Santa Anita on Oct. 5, will miss the 2004 Kentucky Derby after injuring a knee. Godolphin, which owns the colt, made the announcement Friday.

The injury will prevent Ruler's Court from starting in the $2 million United Arab Emirates Derby in Dubai on March 27, a race Godolphin has used as a prep for its Kentucky Derby hopefuls.

No further details of the injury were released.

Simon Crisford, racing manager for Godolphin, said in a statement, "All future plans are on hold."

The 14-length victory by Ruler's Court in the Grade 2 Norfolk Stakes over 1 1/16 miles made him a top candidate for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, but Sheikh Mohammed of Godolphin announced weeks before that race that the colt would pass the Breeders' Cup and would be pointed to major races in the spring.