Injured Secret Circle Out of Derby

• Print

Photo: Oaklawn Park/Coady Photography

Secret Circle

Four-time stakes winner Secret Circle, most recently runner-up to stablemate Bodemeister   in the Arkansas Derby (gr. I), will miss up to four months with a sesamoid injury, co-owner Mike Pegram confirmed April 19.

Pegram, who co-owns the son of Eddington   with Karl Watson and Paul Weitman, said Secret Circle will not require surgery. He is hopeful the colt could return to training in August for Bob Baffert. The injury was discovered a couple days after he finished 9 1/2 lengths back of Bodemeister in the April 14 Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park.

Secret Circle had been pointing to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).

“It’s a sesamoid problem but we got lucky because he won’t need surgery,” Pegram said. “I honestly think he had a chance (in the Derby). I know a lot of people didn’t think so, but any time you’re five-for-seven and have made a million dollars you’re a legitimate horse.

“We misnamed him; we should have named him Rodney (as in Dangerfield). He’s just a neat little horse, that’s all I can say. He’s been a pleasure to be around and I look forward to bringing him back next year.”

Secret Circle’s two stakes wins as a 2-year-old came in the Jack Goodman Stakes at Santa Anita and the Sentient Jet Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Sprint at Churchill Downs. He established himself as a Derby threat when he won the Feb. 20 Southwest (gr. III) and and March 17 Rebel (gr. II) at Oaklawn.

Secret Circle, bred in Kentucky by Willmott Stables, has earned $1,018,990.

• Print