Trainer Todd Pletcher lost one of the many bullets in his Triple Crown assault weapon when Sham Stakes (gr. III) winner Ravel was found to have a possible fracture in his left front cannon bone.
Owned in partnership by Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith, Ravel (Fusaichi Pegasus -Let, by A.P. Indy) was pointed toward the April 7 Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) after winning two of his first three starts, including his impressive run in the Sham on Feb. 3.
Pletcher said it was “hard to tell” the extent of Ravel’s injury. “You can’t tell on the radiograph, but we’ll do another radiograph in 10 days,” he said. “I would say he’ll be out a minimum of 60 days.”
The trainer said the filly Rags to Riches, winner of the Santa Anita Oaks (gr. I), is possible for the Santa Anita Derby. She has also been under consideration for the Ashland Stakes (gr. I) at Keeneland the same day as the Santa Anita Derby. It is still undecided if the daughter of A.P. Indywill contest the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) or if she will test the boys in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).
Tabor and Smith also own Rags to Riches.
“She’ll breeze this week and then we’ll decide,” Pletcher said in a release from Santa Anita. “Whether she runs would depend on how the race shapes up and how she’s doing. We’ll know after this weekend.”
Pletcher remains loaded with Derby contenders, including Louisiana Derby (gr. II) winner Circular Quay, Fountain of Youth (gr. II) winner Scat Daddy and Tampa Bay Derby (gr. III) runner-up Any Given Saturday.
