Keepmeinmind to Bypass PA Derby With Abscess
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Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
Keepmeinmind at Saratoga Race Course
Grade 2 winner Keepmeinmind will bypass the Sept. 25 Pennsylvania Derby (G1) at Parx Racing due to an abscess, trainer Robertino Diodoro informed track publicity representatives one day before the $1 million race.
"Just bad timing," Diodoro told turf writer Tim Wilkin, who is handling Parx Racing publicity this week. "He trained like a monster (Thursday) and we needed the pony to get him off the track, he was feeling so good. This is definitely disappointing, but the main thing is that the horse is going to be OK."
Fourth last out in the Aug. 28 Runhappy Travers Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course, Keepmeinmind last visited the winner's circle in November of 2020 when he won the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs off a third in the TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (G1) at Keeneland and a runner-up finish in the Claiborne Breeders' Futurity (G1) there. The Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes score was his maiden-breaking win.
From 11 starts, Keepmeinmind has a 1-3-2 record with earnings of $739,987. He races for Cypress Creek Equine, Arnold Bennewith, and Spendthrift Farm and was bred by Southern Equine Stables out of the Victory Gallop mare Inclination.
"He is sulking a little bit right now," Diodoro added of the 3-year-old son of Laoban. "Those abscesses, they're painful. He will be back to himself in a few days."