Caracaro Withdrawn From Kentucky Derby Consideration

The 146th Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) lost one of its key figures Aug. 28 when Runhappy Travers Stakes (G1) runner-up Caracaro was removed from consideration after a morning workout at Saratoga Race Course.

Trainer Gustavo Delgado said he was unhappy with the way the colt owned by Global Thoroughbred and Top Racing was walking following a 1:12.26 six-furlong workout on the Spa's main track. During the gallop out after the work, exercise rider J.J. Delgado brought the 3-year-old to a stop and dismounted when felt something was amiss.

"I did not like what I was seeing with my eyes," Delgado said. "We're going to scratch and will not go to the Kentucky Derby."

Delgado said he believes there is an issue affecting the son of Uncle Mo 's right front leg.

"It's tough to miss the Kentucky Derby," Delgado said, "but these things happen all the time."

Delgado said plans are in the works to send Caracaro to the owners' farm in Kentucky where a decision on when or if the son of the War Front  mare Peace Time can continue racing.

Caracaro was one of 18 3-year-olds considered by Churchill Downs as probable starters in the $3 million Run for the Roses. He was 10th among them with 60 qualifying points.

A winner of one of four starts, Caracaro was second in the Peter Pan Stakes (G3) earlier at the Saratoga meet.

Bred in Kentucky by SF Bloodstock, he has earned $238,800 in a career that started Dec. 8 at Gulfstream Park.

He was bought by Global Thoroughbred for $95,000 from the Buckland Sales consignment at the 2017 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale.

Dr Post, Rushie, and Money Moves were listed as possibilities on the track's Aug. 27 list of candidates for a field that will be capped at 20 if necessary.

St. Elias Stable's Dr Post, who has enough qualifying points (80) to start in the Run for the Roses, breezed four furlongs in :49 3/5 at Saratoga on Friday, checking in 22nd of the 30 works at the distance.

Todd Pletcher, who trains Dr Post and Money Moves, said a final decision on the status of his potential starters would likely be made Aug. 29.

Money Moves, who has no qualifying points, breezed five furlongs in 1:00.14 Friday, a move that was the 10th fastest of 17 similar works.

Also Friday at Saratoga, TVG.com Haskell Stakes (G1) runner-up Ny Traffic put in his final work for the Sept. 5 second leg of the Triple Crown, breezing five furlongs in :59.45. It was the third-fastest of 17 works at the distance.

Bred in New York by Brian Culnan, Ny Traffic, a son of Cross Traffic  out of the Graeme Hall mare Mamie Reilly, is owned by John Fanelli, Cash is King, LC Racing, and Paul Braverman and trained by Saffie Joseph Jr.

A winner of two of nine starts, Ny Traffic was also second in the Matt Winn Stakes (G3) and Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) and has earned $565,470.

He is fifth on the points list with 110.