The COVID-19 pandemic has hit the horse racing world just like it has the other professional sports, with months of cancellations. The celebrated Triple Crown – the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes, is being run in a different order this year. The Belmont will keep its original June 20 date, but the Kentucky Derby has been moved to September 5, and the Preakness has been moved to October 3. Another problem creeping up has been a rash of injuries that has ruled out some of the top contenders.
So, let’s check out this update on four horses who won’t be chasing horse racing’s legendary prize.
Triple Crown Update: Four Contenders Off the List
First, let’s look at a pair of horses from trainer Bob Baffert’s stable.
Baffert is a legendary trainer who worked with American Pharaoh and Justify, the 2015 and 2018 Triple Crown winners. His horses have won five Kentucky Derbies, seven Preakness Stakes and three Belmont Stakes.
Charlatan
Charlatan, the winner of the Arkansas Derby who had never lost a race, has suffered from a filling in one of his front ankles that will require surgery. He will miss 45 days, which includes the Belmont and the Kentucky Derby. He might return for the Preakness Stakes, depending on how the recovery goes. Charlatan had also been the target of some controversy after testing positive for banned substances in a report that came out on May 26.
Nadal
On May 28, Nadal, another of Baffert’s horses, who was also unbeaten and who had won Division Two of the Arkansas Derby, had to be retired to stud after the discovery of a condylar fracture in his left front leg. Baffert has another pair of talented three-year-olds in Cezanne and Authentic. Cezanne won a maiden special weight at Santa Anita by 2 ¼ lengths, and Authentic finished as the runner-up to Honor A.P. in the Santa Anita Derby.
Maxfield
Another contender who will miss the Kentucky Derby thanks to a condylar fracture is Maxfield, winner of the Grade 3 Matt Winn. Surgery will come on Wednesday, and Maxfield could return to racing next year. Maxfield had also won the Grade 1 Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity by 5 ½ lengths back in October. But he had already had to have surgery for an ankle chip, sidelining him for three months during the winter.
Wells Bayou
Louisiana Derby winner Wells Bayou will also miss the Kentucky Derby due to bone bruising. Wells Bayou had come in fifth at Division Two of the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby, and trainer Brad Cox noticed some inconsistency in training and so ordered the tests.
It is hard to say whether the alterations to training schedules are the culprit behind these injuries. As you consider whether to wager on the Belmont and the later races in the Triple Crown, make sure to pay attention to updates about injuries and scratches.
The good news is that we are just a little over a week away from the return of one of horse racing’s biggest spectacles. Make sure you check out the future odds on the Triple Crown races and other betting pools currently available at classic odds-market JAZZ Sports. Get PERSONAL with Racing! – Follow Jazz Horse Racing to get the top scoop on thoroughbred racing.
