Rebel's Romance to Miss Belmont With Hind Leg Infection
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Photo: Dubai Racing Club/Neville Hopwood
Rebel's Romance wins the UAE Derby at Meydan
Rebel's Romance , winner of the March 27 UAE Derby Sponsored by Emirates NBD (G2) in Dubai, will miss the $1.5 million Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G1) June 5 due to an infection in a hind leg, according to a tweet from Godolphin, his owner.
The Dubawi 3-year-old has been training at Belmont Park for British trainer Charlie Appleby in recent weeks after traveling from overseas. He worked three times at Belmont between May 19 and May 26, narrowly outfinishing his workmate under late urging in his latest breeze.
"We hope this is only a minor setback and we look forward to seeing him back on the racecourse in the near future," tweeted Godolphin, which also bred the gelding.
Rebel's Romance is a winner of four of five starts and $549,879. He raced in Britain last year before heading to the Middle East this winter, where he twice won at Meydan in Dubai. His lone defeat came when he ran fourth in the Al Rajhi Bank Saudi Derby at King Abdulaziz Racecourse Feb. 20.
Even without Rebel's Romance, Godolphin has the likely favorite in the 1 1/2-mile race in Essential Quality . The Brad Cox trainee, last year's champion juvenile male, lost for the first time in six starts when fourth in the May 1 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1).