Juvenile colt champion Shanghai Bobby will be given some time off following
his fifth-place finish in the Florida Derby on March 30 at Gulfstream Park and
is no longer in consideration for the Kentucky Derby.
From a physical standpoint, Shanghai Bobby appears to have come out of the
Florida Derby in good shape. However, according to trainer Todd Pletcher, his
energy level is not where he’d like for it to be.
“There’s nothing obviously wrong with him but we will go over him thoroughly
and give him some time off to fully recover from his long campaign. He’ll be
sent to Payton Training Center today and allowed to have the down time that he
seems to need right now,” Pletcher reported.
“Obviously we’re disappointed because of the timing but we need to do what’s
right for the horse and it looks like he’s ready for a break,” said Donnie
Lucarelli, co-managing partner of co-owner Starlight Racing.
“Shanghai Bobby has been at the track for 13 months and his energy level and
level of performance has never suggested he needed any time off until now,”
Starlight’s other managing partner, Jack Wolf, added. “It’s time to freshen him
up and, if all goes well, point for a late summer, early fall campaign.”
Undefeated during his championship campaign last year, Shanghai Bobby
suffered his first career defeat when second in the Grade 3 Holy Bull in late
January.
The son of Harlan’s Holiday had accrued 24 points toward Kentucky Derby
eligibility, good for 16th place through Sunday, but was unlikely to make the
field for the year’s first classic.
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