No decision on UAE Derby winner Discreet Cat's status for the Kentucky Derby until April 15.
Simon Crisford, racing manager for Godolphin Racing, said Monday they are in no hurry to make a decision on the status of UAE Derby (UAE-II) winner Discreet Cat for the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) presented by Yum! Brands.Discreet Cat, whom Godolphin purchased last year following the son of Forestry's brilliant maiden victory at Saratoga, has won both his starts in Dubai this year in spectacular fashion. But there is concern about his inexperience."I wouldn't say we'll be making any decision until the middle of the month," Crisford said. "We don't need to. All our shipping plans are in place for any eventuality, whether we head to New York or Kentucky. As soon as we do make a decision we will post it on our Web site so everybody can see."We need to see the horse train and monitor him on a daily basis. He came out of his race well and everything seems good, but there are a lot of things we've got to talk about, because he is so young and so inexperienced and immature. He's not even three years old yet, and three races is not a great deal of experience. So, there are many factors that need to be weighed very carefully before that decision gets made. A decision obviously will be made, but it won't be before April 15."All the cards have to stack up in the right order, and there's no reason why they wouldn't, but what we don't want to do is make a decision now and then say to ourselves, 'Why did we make that decision too soon?' We know he's not running in a race beforehand, so his training schedule can be worked out with a race in early May in mind if that's what we decide."Godolphin has made five starts in the Kentucky Derby, with their best finish being a sixth by China Visit in 2000. After running at least one horse in the Derby from 1999 to 2002, Godolphin has not returned since.
