Virus delays Caledonia Road's return

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Caledonia Road, who has not started since her resounding victory in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies on Nov. 4, will have her much-anticipated 3-year-old debut delayed again due to a virus she contracted earlier this month.

Last year’s 2-year-old juvenile filly champion, Caledonia Road won two of three starts at 2 with her lone loss a second-place finish in the Grade 1 Frizette. She was given time off over the winter following minor surgery to remove an ankle chip discovered shortly after the Breeders’ Cup. She resumed training with Ralph Nicks at Palm Meadows earlier this winter and had gotten in four works, including a bullet half-mile in 48.20 seconds on March 15, before the latest setback.

“She contracted a bit of a virus after her last work and right now everything is on hold while we wait for her to rebound,” Nicks said. “She’s been going to the track every day and training lightly, but won’t have any breezes until she’s back in the feed tub completely.”

Nicks said it’s impossible to predict just how long it will take before Caledonia Road returns to the races.

“It’s a minor setback and we’ve just got to be patient,” Nicks said. “There is a zero timetable right now for her return. She was doing very well up until getting sick. It’s a long year and we’re going to do what’s best for her. When she tells us she’s ready, we’ll be ready.”