The morning after the scratch of pre-race favorite The Pamplemousse from the Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) due to a tendon flare-up, co-owner Alex Solis II said the promising colt is off the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) trail.
Later, Solis said The Pamplemousse would be out of action a minimum of six months.
“He has a small lesion (on the tendon in his left front leg) and we’ll do the best thing by the horse,” Solis said in updating the situaion.
Solis indicated that for the time being, the gray son of Kafwain would remain with trainer Julio Canani at Santa Anita.
“We’re grateful that Julio scratched yesterday," Solis said. "The Pamplemousse will run again. His time off will be indefinite, but it will be longer than six months.”
Canani scratched The Pamplemousse several hours before the Santa Anita Derby after a state veterinarian's check of the horse found "a little heat" in one of the colt's legs. Canani made the decision after consulting with his own veterinarian, Dr. Helmuth von Bluecher.
“He’s comfortable; he’s fine,” said Solis, son of top jockey Alex Solis, who is The Pamplemousse's regular rider. “He’s walking right now. He’s going to run again. He’s not finished, but he will not run in the Kentucky Derby.”
The Pamplemousse won the San Rafael (gr. III) and Sham (gr. III) stakes this season at Santa Anita. He has won his last three starts while earning $209,280 in five starts.
