Gemologist Injured; To Miss Belmont Stakes

WinStar Farm’s Gemologist, who finished 16^th in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) as the 8-1 third choice, came out of the race with a foot bruise and will miss the June 9 Belmont Stakes (gr. I).

“After the race he was fine,” trainer Todd Pletcher said. “We sent him to WinStar as planned to give him a week off and then prepare for the Belmont (gr. I). But then he came up lame in his left front and diagnostics revealed a foot bruise. He’s making good progress and is 50% better today than he was yesterday."

The injury is not expected to keep the son of Tiznow  out for an extended period of time.

“I’ve run a lot of horses in the Derby and have been disappointed, but I’ve never felt as good going into the race as I did with this horse," said Pletcher. "It almost makes you feel better knowing he had an excuse. We’ll be fine.”

Gemologist  was undefeated going into the Derby and was coming off a gutsy victory in the Resorts World Casino New York City Wood Memorial (gr. I).

Bred in Kentucky by G. Watts Humphrey Jr. and Louise Ireland Humphrey Revocable Trust, Gemologist also won the 2011 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (gr. II) and has earnings of $748,855. He is out of the Mr. Prospector mare Crystal Shard.