Because of the abundance of speed and drawing the disadvantageous rail in the seven-furlong Hutcheson Stakes (gr. II), trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said Feb. 25 on “At the Races With Steve Byk” that he is considering scratching Crossbow and waiting for the Gotham Stakes (gr. III) March 5 at Aqueduct.
McLaughlin made it official on the morning of the race Feb. 26 when he withdrew the bay colt.
Crossbow, a Darley Stable-owned son of Bernardini , instead will be shipped to Belmont Park to prepare for the 1 1/16-mile Gotham, in which he likely will face Stay Thirsty and Whirlaway Stakes winner Toby's Corner.
Crossbow has started three times, breaking his maiden over the Aqueduct inner dirt track Jan. 2 before winning a seven-furlong allowance at Gulfstream Jan. 29. He earned an 86 Beyer figure in both races.
McLaughlin will be represented in Saturday’s Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. II) by Soldat , who is coming off a 10 3/4-length victory in a 1 1/8-mile allowance race in the slop.
