Winslow Homer returning in Iowa Derby

Winslow Homer, a highly-regarded 3-year-old colt who missed the Triple Crown series because of injury, will make his return to the races in Saturday's Grade 3, $250,000 Iowa Derby at Prairie Meadows, trainer Tony Dutrow said Monday.

Winslow Homer, a son of Unbridled's Song owned by Rick Porter's Fox Hill Farm, won the Grade 3 Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 23, his third win from four career starts. But he came out of the race with a stress fracture to his right front cannon bone, which required surgery. Dr. Larry Bramlage performed the surgery in which he inserted a screw, which has since been removed.

"Larry told us there was a very strong probability this horse would come back 100 percent," Dutrow said. "He has come back just fantastic."

Dutrow said Winslow Homer was without a saddle for only 60 days before he returned to his care in early April.

Dutrow said he didn't expect Winslow Homer to be race-ready before mid-to-late July. But the horse came to hand earlier than expected which made the Iowa Derby a possibility. Dutrow said if things go well in the Iowa Derby, Winslow Homer would be considered for races such as the Jim Dandy on July 31 and the Travers on Aug. 28, both at Saratoga.

"In a perfect world if he is a good enough horse to compete in these races the Iowa Derby fits superbly."

Winslow Homer has breezed six times since mid-May including a five-furlong breeze in 1:00 at Delaware Park on Sunday.

"I just couldn't be any happier with the horse in any way," said Dutrow, whose horse was to catch a flight out of New York to Iowa on Tuesday.

Entries for the Iowa Derby were to be taken on Tuesday. Others under consideration include Concord Point, Remand, Thiskyhasnolimit, Down With Dixie, and Forestry Type.