The Truth Or Else Out of Belmont Stakes
Image:
Description:
Belmont Stakes (gr. I) week kicked off June 1 with trainer Ken McPeek reporting that The Truth Or Else would not be entered in the June 6 classic because of filling in his left ankle.
McPeek, who arrived in New York Sunday and was at the track Monday morning, said the problem is minor but that it is enough to keep the Yes It's True colt from being among the cast that will try to derail American Pharoah's quest for the coveted Triple Crown.
McPeek said the colt jogged a mile Monday morning and was OK, but that he was not 100% and so he decided to pass on the Belmont.
"We will give him the time he needs and bring him back when he's 100%," McPeek tweeted. "We believe he did this galloping Saturday. Minor but everything happens for a reason. Good Luck to AP!"
Owned by McPeek and Harold Lerner LLC, The Truth Or Else was coming off his second career win, in an allowance/optional claimer. From 12 starts, the colt has a maiden win, with third-place finishes in last year's Champagne (gr. I) and Remsen (gr. II) and a second in this year's Southwest Stakes (gr. III) in which he made a big move while five wide.