Scat Daddy, a grade I winner the past two years, has been retired from racing because of a slight tendon injury suffered in an unplaced effort in the May 5 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I). The 3-year-old son of Johannesburg retired with five wins from nine races and earnings of $1,334,300.
"Our vets told us he would need 90 days so we would have run out of time to get him back for the major races this year," said Todd Pletcher, who trained the colt for James T. Scatuorchio, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith.
Scat Daddy won in succession this year's Florida Derby (gr. I) and Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. I) prior to his effort in the Kentucky Derby as the third betting choice. Last year, he captured the Champagne (gr. I) and Sanford (gr. II) Stakes and ran second in the Hopeful Stakes (gr. I).
Scat Daddy, who is out of the grade I-winning Mr. Prospector mare Love Style, made his first two starts for Scatuorchio, after which Tabor and Smith came in as partners. Bred in Kentucky by Axel Wend, Scat Daddy was bought by Pletcher as agent for $250,000 at the Keeneland September yearling sale from Hunter Valley Farm, agent.