Roy H Will Miss Dubai Golden Shaheen With Foot Abscess
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Photo: Mathea Kelley/Dubai Racing Club
Roy H trains March 26 at Meydan
Two-time TwinSpires Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) winner Roy H will not run in the $2.5 million Dubai Golden Shaheen Sponsored by Gulf News (G1) March 30 at Meydan due to a foot abscess in his left front, reported Brian Trump, operations manager for co-owner Rockingham Ranch.
Trump said the foot abscess showed itself when Roy H got off the plane in Dubai. Some effort was made to work through the issue, but Trump said as of March 28 the plan is to withdraw from the 1,200-meter (six-furlong) Golden Shaheen and return to the United States for time off to recover.
After that, trainer Peter Miller and the connections will form a plan leading to this year's Breeders' Cup Sprint at Santa Anita Park. Trump added that while the news was difficult Thursday, the connections expect a full recovery and return to racing.
A year ago, Rockingham Ranch and David Bernsen's Roy H, a gelding by More Than Ready, finished third in the Golden Shaheen.
Speaking at a news conference Thursday morning, jockey Jose Ortiz noted that with Roy H out of Saturday's race, he'll now have the inside position aboard Imperial Hint. Roy H had drawn post 1 and Imperial Hint post 2. Ortiz said he could go for the lead from the inside post but is confident Imperial Hint will rate, if needed.