Rockport Harbor, will be given time off for abscess to heal.
Fox Hill Farm's Rick Porter, owner of Rockport Harbor, and trainer John Servis have decided to turn the colt out for two to three months after several tests and X-rays taken at New Bolton Medical Center revealed the abscess that has plagued last year's Remsen (gr. II) winner has not healed sufficiently."The cutting out of the abscess and the wiring done in order to patch the foot have not enabled the healing process to proceed enough for him to be comfortable," Porter wrote on Rockport Harbor's Web site."Therefore, John and I have decided to remove the wires and the patch and turn him out for two to three months. This will allow the hoof to completely grow out. New Bolton professionals have advised us that 'Rocky,' if given this time without any training, will be back 100%. We will then plan a racing career for him as a 4-year-old."Rockport Harport has been suffering from foot problems since the Remsen, from which he returned with a severe gash on his heel after getting stepped on from behind going into the first turn. A subsequent quarter crack caused the son of Unbridled's Song to miss valuable training, yet he still ran a game second in the Rebel Stakes (gr. III) in his 3-year-old debut.Rockport Harbor's last start was sixth-place finish in slop in the Coolmore Lexington Stakes (gr. II), in which he was suffering from the foot abscess that has sidelined him since.Last year, Rockport Harbor won all four of his starts, including the Remsen and Nashua Stakes (gr. III).Porter purchased the colt at the Keeneland September yearling sale for $470,000.
