Syndergaard strikes out in return

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – It was not a good weekend if your name was Syndergaard.

On Saturday night, the equine Syndergaard finished fifth – elevated to fourth by the stewards – in the $100,000 William Walker Stakes at Churchill Downs. On Sunday, the pitcher for whom the colt is named, Noah Syndergaard of the New York Mets, left his start against the Washington Nationals with an injury.

For the colt, his chances in the William Walker were compromised when he didn’t break sharply from the rail under John Velazquez. He was forced to steady down the backside when En Hanse came over on him. En Hanse finished second but was disqualified and placed fifth, behind Syndergaard.

Still, trainer Todd Pletcher never felt that Syndergaard, the 1-5 favorite in the Walker, was comfortable in the race.

“I felt more than anything he never got a hold of the track,” Pletcher said. “He was spinning his wheels the whole way.”

While Syndergaard, the pitcher, had go to New York for further tests, Pletcher will look to send his Syndergaard to New York for either the Grade 2 Woody Stephens on June 10 or the Mike Lee Stakes for New York-breds on May 29. Both races are at Belmont Park.