General John B out of Kentucky Derby

Last updated: 4/29/05 7:49 PM

Turf Paradise Derby winner GENERAL JOHN B (Sweetsouthernsaint) suffered a
strained tendon under his left knee and will not run in the May 7 Kentucky Derby
(G1), trainer Roger Stein said. The injury was discovered Friday morning.

“It’s not a big injury,” Stein said. “I just can’t run a horse against the
top three-year-olds in America if he’s not 100 percent.”

General John B exits a close second-place finish in the Santa Anita Derby
(G1) on April 9. Stein said the gelding’s condition would be re-evaluated in two
weeks to determine how long the horse will be sidelined. Stein believes the
injury occurred when General John B worked six furlongs in 1:13 at Santa Anita
on Tuesday.

“Whatever damage is there probably happened during (the work),” Stein said.
“This morning he jogged and seemed fine. But there’s a big difference between
jogging and running in the Kentucky Derby.”

General John B has a record of 7-3-1-1 and $258,228 in earnings.

In other Kentucky Derby news:

High Fly tries out the mud at Churchill
(Michael J. Marten/Horsephotos.com)

Trainer Nick Zito said workouts for BELLAMY ROAD (Concerto), HIGH FLY (Atticus)
and NOBLE CAUSEWAY (Giant’s Causeway) could be pushed back from Saturday to
Sunday due to the chance of rain and an off track.

“The way it looks now, Sunday,” Zito said.

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) winner WILKO (Awesome Again), a close third in
the Santa Anita Derby in his last start, is scheduled to work five furlongs at
Hollywood Park on Saturday with jockey Corey Nakatani astride.

Trainer Todd Pletcher said BANDINI (Fusaichi Pegasus) and FLOWER ALLEY
(Distorted Humor) likely would work Sunday rather than Saturday with COIN SILVER
(Anees) penciled in for Monday.

Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said CLOSING ARGUMENT (Successful Appeal) will
gallop and/or work five furlongs on Sunday, weather permitting. Otherwise, the
breeze will get pushed back to Monday. The bay colt is scheduled to van from
Keeneland to Churchill Downs on Saturday afternoon.

Arkansas Derby (G2) winner AFLEET ALEX (Northern Afleet) was one of many
contenders to gallop over the sloppy track on Friday. The Tim Ritchey charge
made his normal two trips to the Churchill strip, going out for a two-mile jog
shortly after the track opened at 6 a.m. (EDT) and returning to the barn in
heavy rain. The Grade 1-winning colt returned shortly before the renovation
break around 8:40 and avoided rainfall this time, jogging a mile and then
galloping nine furlongs under the Twin Spires.