Prospect Park, Daredevil ruled out of Kentucky Derby

Last updated: 4/9/15 3:19 PM

Prospect Park has come down with an illness following his fourth in the Santa Anita Derby
(Benoit Photos)

Prospect Park (Tapit) exited his disappointing fourth in last Saturday’s
Santa Anita Derby (G1) with a fever, prompting trainer Cliff Sise Jr. to
withdraw him from Kentucky Derby (G1) consideration, Scott Hazelton reports.

“Cliff Sise says he’s got
a temp and elevated white blood cell count,” Hazelton tweeted, adding that Sise
believed it was “too close to Derby” for the promising three-year-old to
regroup.

A homebred campaigned by Pam and Marty Wygod, Prospect Park appeared to turn
the corner this winter at Santa Anita. The dark bay followed up a maiden score
with a 5 1/4-length allowance tally, and finished runner-up to Dortmund (Big
Brown) in the March 7 San Felipe (G2). Prospect Park was sent off as a 3-1
chance in his rematch with Dortmund in the Santa Anita Derby, but he never fired
after a troubled trip and checked in fourth, 6 3/4 lengths behind Dortmund.

Also, Champagne (G1) winner Daredevil (More Than Ready) has been officially
removed from the Derby trail, as reported by Jennie Rees of the
Courier-Journal. Trainer Todd Pletcher told Daily Racing Form‘s David
Grening that Daredevil will get time off at WinStar Farm near Versailles,
Kentucky. Plans call for a return to action in the summer.

Daredevil, who repelled Upstart (Flatter) by 2 1/2 lengths in the October 4
Champagne, has not won in three subsequent starts. Last of 11 in the Breeders’
Cup Juvenile (G1) in his two-turn debut, he shortened up to seven furlongs for
the March 7 Swale (G2) and finished second. The chestnut stretched out again for
last Saturday’s Wood Memorial (G1) at Aqueduct, where he retreated to fourth.

Purchased for $260,000 as a Keeneland September yearling by Pletcher, as
agent for Let’s Go Stable, Daredevil later acquired new co-ownership. WinStar
Farm bought a half-interest prior to the Breeders’ Cup, and China Horse Club
joined the partnership ahead of the Swale.

Rounding out this week’s notable Derby defections is turf/synthetic performer
Conquest Typhoon (Stormy Atlantic), who is bound for the American Turf (G2) on
the Derby undercard.

For the latest on who’s in and who’s out, click the

updated list of Derby point standings released Thursday. Churchill Downs has
released a

corresponding list for the Kentucky Oaks (G1).

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