Rockport Harbor being treated for bruised foot

Rockport Harbor was last seen in competition in the Remsen (Debra Kral/Horsephotos.com)

Grade 2 hero ROCKPORT HARBOR (Unbridled’s Song) may miss the March 19 Rebel
S. (G3) at Oaklawn Park after a foot bruise was discovered on Sunday. The
undefeated gray was scheduled to make his three-year-old bow in the 8
1/2-furlong test.

“(Exercise rider) Bobby (Velez) called me early this morning and told me it
wasn’t good,” trainer John Servis said. “I got to the barn, called in the
blacksmith, and he yanked the colt’s shoes off and found the bruise.”

Servis said it was too early to make a ruling on his charge’s status for the
Rebel. Rockport Harbor was set to work a mile on Sunday at Oaklawn, but the work
was canceled when the bruise on his left front foot was discovered.

“We are treating the bruise with Epsom salts and hot water, and a black
tar-like salve called icthamol,” Servis said. “It’s too early to tell how much
time Rocky will miss, but obviously time isn’t on our side. The best scenario is
that he gets back to the racetrack by the end of the week.”

Rockport Harbor captured all four of his starts as a juvenile, including a
neck victory in the Remsen S. (G2) in his final start of 2004. That win came
despite the colt suffering a severe gash to his right rear hoof when another
horse in the race stepped on him entering the first turn. The injury healed
completely and Rockport Harbor was shipped to Oaklawn in early January, where
he’s recorded three nice five-furlong works.

“Foot bruises happen all the time,” Servis said. “You treat them, and go on.
But with a horse like Rockport Harbor, you don’t take chances.