Carpe Diem Will Not Be Entered in Belmont
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The connections of Carpe Diem, who was being pointed to the June 6 Belmont Stakes (gr. I), have decided not to enter the two-time grade I winner in the 1 1/2-mile classic.
WinStar Farm president Elliott Walden said Carpe Diem is not quite in peak form. After talking with trainer Todd Pletcher, the decision was made to not enter the son of Giant's Causeway in the Belmont.
WinStar Farm and Stonestreet Stables Carpe Diem won last year's Claiborne Breeders' Futurity (gr. I) at Keeneland and won this year's Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I) there as well. He most recently finished 10th in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum Brands (gr. I) at Churchill Downs.
"We just felt like he wasn't quite 100%. His last two works have been good—timewise they've been great—Todd just feels like he's not quite where he was for the Blue Grass or Breeders' Futurity. He's too good a horse to lead over there not feeling 110% confident."
Walden said tentative plans are to train toward a summer return in the the Jim Dandy Stakes (gr. II) at Saratoga Race Course or the Haskell Invitational Stakes (gr. I) at Monmouth Park, which are the same weekend (Aug. 1 and 2.)
"We're going to regroup and decide which one we want to run in," Walden said.
Walden initially announced the Belmont decision via Twitter.
Also Monday, trainer Kenny McPeek announced that he would not be entering grade I-placed The Truth Or Else in the Belmont. The change in plans for Carpe Diem and The Truth Or Else leaves an expected field of eight as American Pharoah seeks a Triple Crown sweep.