Bodexpress Under Consideration for Whitney Stakes
Image:
Description:
Photo: Chad B. Harmon
Bodexpress is led home after scratching from the Monmouth Cup at Monmouth Park
Top Racing, Global Thoroughbred, and GDS Racing Stable's Bodexpress was a late scratch before the start of the July 18 Monmouth Cup (G3) at Monmouth Park and is now under consideration for the $750,000 Whitney Stakes (G1) Aug. 1 at Saratoga Race Course, assistant trainer Gustavo Delgado Jr. said.
Delgado Jr. said Bodexpress had a small abrasion on his nose incurred while traveling to Monmouth Park.
"When he was warming up for the race, they said he was bleeding and the state vet scratched him," said Delgado Jr., the 31-year-old son of trainer Gustavo Delgado who is overseeing a stable of three horses at Saratoga that includes Bodexpress, Peter Pan Stakes (G3) runner-up Caracaro, and maiden winner Summer Kid.
Bodexpress, a 4-year-old Bodemeister colt, became an internet sensation after unseating Hall of Fame rider John Velazquez in last year's Preakness Stakes (G1) before completing the course on his own accord.
"This horse is full of stories, but this one is not because of him," said Delgado Jr. "He behaved well and he was doing everything that he had to do. He came back good, scoped fine, and he's already home and walked this morning."
Deadline for nominations to the nine-furlong Whitney, which offers an automatic berth to the Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) Nov. 7 at Keeneland, closed Saturday.
"I was watching the race and I nominated him as soon as we realized he wasn't running yesterday," said Delgado Jr.
A runner-up as a maiden in the 2019 Xpressbet Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park, Bodexpress was placed thirteenth in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1), ultimately graduating in October in a mile and 70-yard maiden tilt at Gulfstream Park West. He completed his eventful sophomore season with a third in the Harlan's Holiday Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream.
Bodexpress has made three starts this season at Gulfstream, including a fifth in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational Presented by Runhappy (G1) and a last-out third in the March 28 Hal's Hope Stakes (G3) at nine furlongs.
"He's ready. And he always runs better when he's fresh," said Delgado Jr.