War Emblem Ships to Kentucky; Still Not Likely for Derby

Illinois Derby (gr. II) winner War Emblem was shipped to Kentucky by van Sunday, but the son of Our Emblem is still not considered a likely Kentucky Derby (gr. I) starter.

"I don't think we'll do the Derby," said Ben Allen, assistant to trainer Frank Springer. "The pace of the Derby has been ridiculous the last few years for horses going a mile and a quarter for the first time. He'd be right in the thick of (that kind of pace). The Derby sets up right for a horse like Repent, or like Monarchos last year."

War Emblem will join Springer's string of horses at Keeneland, and is more likely for the Preakness than the Derby.

"He'd be better suited for the Preakness," Allen said. "The main thing is we have to take care of the horse and let him tell us where to go. We want to make sure we still have a strong horse for the fall. When the 3-year-old crop starts to thin out in the fall, we can really do some good with him."

Also shipping to Kentucky Sunday was Illinois Derby runner-up Repent, who is still on target for the Derby, and ninth-place finisher Changeintheweather. The latter shipped out on the same van as War Emblem.