Outta Here is Latest Belmont Defection; Swaps Next

Currin and Eisman's Outta Here will not make the starting gate for Saturday's Belmont Stakes (gr. I), trainer Bill Currin said in a prepared statement released Monday morning.

"Outta Here had a good work Sunday at Hollywood Park going a mile in 1:43 3/5," Currin said. "Due to the placement of the cones the work was truly a mile and 65 yards, which I'm told would equate to a 1:38 2/5 mile and he came back bouncing. If my reason for deciding to go to the Belmont was based solely on the work, he would be going. However, I have decided that he has been on the airplane a lot lately and I have decided to stay home and run a fresh horse in the Swaps Stakes. My interest in this horse goes way past how much money he can quickly make, but what happens to his future career.

"I want to thank all the people connected with the Triple Crown series and the officials of NYRA for their interest in Outta Here, but I will not be on the plane this time," Currin's statement said. "Good luck to the remaining participants and I will be home watching on TV."

The nine-furlong Swaps Stakes is a grade II test for sophomores worth $400,000, which will be run on Sunday, July 13 at Hollywood Park.

Outta Here, a Kentucky-bred son of Dehere, won the $500,000 Delta Jackpot Stakes last year before finishing fourth in the $2 million UAE Derby (gr. II) in March. He finished seventh, beaten just 6 ½ lengths, in the May 3 Kentucky Derby (gr. I) in his last start after a trouble-filled trip. He also was second in the Hollywood Juvenile Championship (gr. III) and third in the Best Pal (gr. III) and Generous Stakes (gr. III) as a juvenile. Overall he's earned $504,260 with a record of 9-2-2-2.