Aud, who finished a disappointing seventh as the favorite in Saturday's Early Times Mint Julep Handicap (gr. IIIT) at Churchill Downs, was revealed to have a lung infection, trainer Tony Reinstedler said Sunday morning.Reinstedler said a post-race scoping uncovered the infection."I think that's probably the reason for her dull effort," he said. "I'll get that squared away and take it from there."
Reinstedler said he would make sure all is well with Aud before he presses on with her campaign.
"I'm going to let her tell me," he said.
Reinstedler's other runner in the Mint Julep, Sand Springs, came out of the race in good order after leading in deep stretch and finishing second to Stay Forever."I thought Sand Springs ran a really good race," said Reinstedler. "I think the ground kind of got to her a little bit. I'm not saying that she didn't handle it.She ran her race. I just thought that the other filly (Stay Forever) got over the ground a little better than she did. That's taking nothing away from the winner. I thought she was the horse to beat and we just didn't beat her." Although the turf was rated firm, there was some give to it, he said.
Reinstedler said that Sand Springs would likely be pointed toward Churchill Downs' $150,000-added Locust Grove (gr. IIIT). The 1 1/8-mile turf test for older fillies and mares is scheduled for June 26.