Straight Line Sidelined by Bruised Shin

Edited from Gulfstream Park release
Iroquois Stakes (gr. III) winner Straight Line suffered a mild shin bruise during Saturday's Swale Stakes (gr. II) at Gulfstream Park and the Boundary colt will now miss valuable training time if he hopes to get back on the Florida Derby (gr. I) and Kentucky Derby (gr. I) trails.

"He hurt himself going into the turn and he eased himself back," said trainer Harvey Vanier. "The doctor says he should get over it quickly. He'll need a little time off. The doc says maybe a week to 10 days."

Straight Line was making his first start in three months in the Swale. He injured a hock in his stall soon after winning the Iroquois last November, but had returned to training in January. Vanier's plan was to return in the seven-furlong Swale with an eye toward classic races down the line.

"I've got to get to work on this horse now and see how long it's going to take," said Vanier. "He never bucked his shins as a 2-year-old, and this isn't a bucked shin. It's just a bruise. We'll know more after a little bit of time."

Jockey Brice Blanc eased Straight Line in the final furlong of the Swale and he finished 41 lengths behind winner Lost in the Fog.