Top prospect Mr. Jordan out indefinitely with ligament injury

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – The Kentucky Derby dreams of Mr. Jordan and his connections were dashed earlier this week after the undefeated 2-year-old injured a check ligament during a workout at Gulfstream Park West.

Trainer Eddie Plesa Jr. said Mr. Jordan likely sustained the injury while pulling up after breezing an easy half-mile in 48 seconds on Tuesday. The work was the first for Mr. Jordan since his impressive 4 1/2-length victory going a mile in the Smooth Air Stakes on Nov. 29.

“It’s not a big deal in the overall picture with regards to his career,” Plesa said on Friday. “This situation should not impact that. But it could be time consuming, depending upon the final diagnosis. We’re still doing some tests. He should recover 100 percent. It’s just a matter of the time frame.”

Mr. Jordan was perfect in three starts at 2. Along with his triumph in the Smooth Air, for which he earned a 97 Beyer Speed Figure, Mr. Jordan also captured his debut at Monmouth Park by 6 1/4 lengths in mid-September and the six furlong Juvenile Sprint at Gulfstream Park by three lengths despite an eventful trip on Nov. 8.

“It’s going to mean missing a few races we’d liked to have run in,” said an obviously disappointed Plesa, trying to put the setback in perspective. “But hopefully he’ll be able to come back from this just like Itsmyluckyday did from his injury last year. That wouldn’t be so bad.”

Itsmyluckyday finished second in both the Florida Derby and Preakness but missed the second half of his 3-year-old campaign due to a pelvis injury. He rebounded under Plesa’s patient handling to win 4 of 8 starts this season, including the Grade 1 Woodward.