Undefeated Arabian Knight Off Kentucky Derby Trail
Image:
Description:
Photo: Coady Photography
Arabian Knight wins the Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park
Arabian Knight , a 3-year-old son of Uncle Mo and recent winner of the Jan. 28 Southwest Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn Park, will no longer pursue a start in the May 6 Kentucky Derby (G1), according to an announcement posted on Twitter March 11 by owner Zedan Racing Stables.
The statement reads: "Arabian Knight is no longer under consideration for the KY Derby. Trainer Tim Yakteen wasn't happy with his last work and we feel it's in Arabian Knight's best interest not to rush and allow him more time to develop. We know he's a superior talent and our plan is to point him toward a summer and fall campaign."
The colt was recently transferred to Yakteen's barn from trainer Bob Baffert after Baffert lost a court decision to overturn his two-year ban from Churchill Downs Inc. due to medication violations. The trainer transfer allowed the precocious colt to begin earning Kentucky Derby qualifying points, after Churchill Downs Inc. properties banned Baffert runners from accumulating points through this year's Triple Crown series.
Under Baffert, Arabian Knight won a maiden special weight on debut at Keeneland by 7 1/4 lengths last fall and did not start again until his valiant victory in the Southwest, outrunning a field of seven others to win by 5 1/2 lengths. In his last work for Yakteen March 3, the colt went six furlongs over the main track at Santa Anita Park in 1:13.60.
The Kentucky-bred colt was most recently a $2.3 million purchase by agent Gary Young, for Zedan from the Top Line Sales consignment at the 2022 Ocala Breeders' Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training.