Eventful Morning for Preakness Runner France Go de Ina
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Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
France Go de Ina works before losing his rider May 12 at Pimlico Race Course
Yuji Inaida's France Go de Ina gave his connections some anxious moments May 12 at Pimlico Race Course, where the son of Will Take Charge lost his rider shortly after passing the finish line during a pre-race work for the May 15 Preakness Stakes (G1).
The only horse on the track aside from the outriders due to quarantine regulations, the Japan-based colt had just completed a four-furlong breeze when exercise rider Masaki Takano suddenly fell off toward the inside rail.
Takano slowly got to his feet as France Go de Ina continued on before being apprehended by the outriders. Both Takano and the horse emerged unscathed, according to Kate Hunter, the Preakness field representative for the Japan Racing Association.
"(Takano) slipped a bit from the stirrup on the left side and lost his balance," Hunter said. "The horse is fine."
Trainer Hideyuki Mori was trackside and bolted towards the winner's circle, where Takano stood and waited for France Go de Ina to be retrieved and brought back. Takano then got back on board and was led by Mori into the Pimlico paddock, where he took several laps in a schooling session.
After watching video of the incident, Mori was relieved that France Go de Ina did not stumble or take a bad step.
"It had nothing to do with the horse," Mori said through Hunter, who serves as his interpreter. "He breezed well. Luckily, or unluckily, the rider fell off after the goal, just after the finish line, after he finished his workout."
(L-R): Kate Hunter with trainer Hideyuki Mori at Pimlico Race Course
France Go de Ina, who finished sixth in the March 27 UAE Derby Presented by Emirates NBD (G2) in Dubai after winning two of three starts in Japan, was timed in :49 2/5. Having a workout three days before a major race is not common in the United States, but Hunter said it's quite common in Japan.
She also said that after an exercise rider falls or is thrown from a horse in Japan, things are different.
"In Japan, there are no outriders," Hunter said, "So, they kind of let the horse stop and the guy who fell off has to go catch it."
Mori said this incident will not affect France Go de Ina's Preakness preparations for the rest of the week. The colt is set to school in the Preakness starting gate on Friday.
After he walked back to the barn with Takano on his back, France Go de Ina did his normal hour of walking at the isolation barn following his visit to the track.
"We are just very happy that the horse is OK," Mori said.