Grade 1 Wood Memorial winner Toby’s Corner was ruled out of the
Grade 1 Kentucky Derby Tuesday morning after sustaining an ill-timed setback.
The Graham Motion trainee completed his final serious work when negotiating
six furlongs in 1:15 at Fair Hill on Sunday. He was reportedly showing signs of
unsoundness in his left hind leg Monday and underwent diagnostic tests at New
Bolton, which did not pinpoint an injury.
The chestnut colt gained fame not only for his Wood Memorial victory, but
also for being the first horse to defeat champion Uncle Mo in
that same race. Toby’s Corner had the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner back in
third that day, and earned his shot at the Kentucky Derby with his Wood Memorial
score.
He had previously run third to Uncle Mo’s stablemate and fellow Derby
hopeful Stay Thirsty in the Grade 3 Gotham, and captured the
Whirlaway in his stakes bow.
Toby’s Corner was due to ship to Churchill Tuesday, but will now remain
instead at Fair Hill.
In his absence, Grade 3 Lexington Stakes winner Derby Kitten now
moves up into the 20th spot on the graded earnings list and earns a Derby berth.