War Pass Injured, Out of Derby
Jockeys and Colts In Derby Earnings Shake-up; Monba, Gayego In
An ankle fracture to War Pass has shaken up the Kentucky Derby picture once again. Jockeys have jumped to different Derby mounts. Monba and Gayego earned their way in.
The stunning development of an injury to War Pass rekindled an already flaming battle for enough graded stakes earnings to qualify for the 134th running of the Kentucky Derby. Traffic rushing head-long to Churchill Downs stopped only momentarily, as Monba and Gayedo earned their way into the Run for the Roses.
Jockeys Jump At Chance For Derby Mounts
Cornelio Velasquez was commited to ride War Pass in the Derby. He will look elsewhere, while his fellow riders jump at their own chances for a best Derby mount. The rundown of jockeys and their likely Thoroughbred partners features these probable matchups:
- Rafael Bejarano --- Z Humor
- Garrett Gomez --- Court Vision
- Kent Desormeaux --- Big Brown
- Javier Castellano --- Big Truck
- Eibar Coa --- Tale of Ekati
- Edgar Prado --- Adriano
- John Velazquez --- Cowboy Cal
- Ramon Dominguez --- Monba
Newly Qualified Candidates and Those In the Wings Could Become Derby Eligible
War Pass's injury opens the gate for another Derby nominee. Only the top twenty graded stakes earners may run in the Derby. New qualifiers besides Monba, winner of the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, and Gayego, Arkansas Derby champion, may include Denis of Cork, or Halo Najib. Bob Black Jack has a chance to get back in, as he now occupies the No.21 position.
Injury At First Was UnDetected
Apparently, War Pass sustained a small fracture at the sesamoid in his last race, the Wood Memorial, in which he gruelled through a tight stretch battle to finish second to Tale of Ekati. The injury in the colt's left front ankle ends his Triple Crown prospects.
According to trainer Nick Zito, signs of distress in War Pass were not observed following the Wood Memorial. He shipped to Churchill Downs normally the day after the race. Zito, who frequently has called War Pass the best he's ever had in his barn, declared the colt sound and happy in his Churchill routine.
However, after a few days, Zito became concerned that something was definitely out of the ordinary for the 2007 Juvenile Champion colt. There was no swelling at the site of the injury, and the problem was initially visibly undetectable. Veterinarian x-ray technician Rick Fischer explained that the ankle bone had separated from the sesamoid, an injury that could have occurred in the testing speedy fractions and difficult stretch drive of the Wood Memorial. The injury did not prevent War Pass from walking soundly.
War Pass Will Heal, But May Not Race Again
Not life-threatening, the injury nonetheless ends War Pass's present campaign. Owner Robert LaPenta and breeder William S. Farish of Lane's End Farm were promptly notified of the colt's condition. Farish represents the Versailles, Kentucky breeding facility where War Pass is scheduled to serve at stud after his racing career is completed.
War Pass halts his 2008 season with a career record of 5-1-0-1, total earnings of $1,583,400, and graded stakes earnings of $1,470,000.
