Bone Chip Knocks Repent Out Of Derby 128
April 8, 2002

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (April 8, 2002) - Select Stable's Repent, the winner of the Louisiana Derby (Grade II) and the runner-up in Saturday's Illinois Derby (GII) at Sportsman's Park, has been declared out of consideration for the 128th Kentucky Derby following the discovery on Monday of a chipped bone in the colt's ankle.

The small chip was detected in an X-ray of the colt's left front ankle, an injury that McPeek believes occurred during the running of the Illinois Derby. Repent is scheduled to undergo surgery on Monday, April 15 for the removal of the chip. McPeek said that equine surgeon Dr. Larry Bramlage is schedule to perform the procedure.

"It's very small, it's minor," said McPeek. "But in the long-term best interest of the horse it's better to get it out. It should heal a hundred percent, so the horse's racing future is without question still there. That's the good thing about it. But in the short run it's not prudent to keep on going with him."

McPeek said the colt's ankles had been X-rayed after his Louisiana Derby victory, in which the colt won by a nose following an erratic run through the stretch at the Fair Grounds.

"We just did a thorough search up front to see if we could find anything and we couldn't find anything anywhere," he said. "Without a doubt he did it in the last race."

Repent heads to the sidelines with a record of 5-2-1 in seven races. McPeek acknowledged that the setback is a disappointment, but that emotion is tempered by the prognosis for a full recovery by the colt.

"He has never taken a lame step - he is not in any way uncomfortable," he said. "It's part of the game and we're big boys - I'm just glad to know that he'll be back a hundred percent. We'll rest him up and turn him into a top handicap horse."

Despite the loss of the colt of Repent, McPeek has two strong 3-year-olds in his barn: Starlight Stable's Harlan's Holiday, the winner of the Florida Derby (GI) and the favorite in the just completed Pool 3 of the 2002 Kentucky Derby Future Wager, and Select Stable's Take Charge Lady, the winner of the Ashland (GI) at Keeneland and an early favorite for the Kentucky Oaks (GI). Take Charge Lady, like Repent, is owned by the Select Stable of Jerry and Feye Bach. She was a late nominee for the Kentucky Derby and Visa Triple Crown, but McPeek said it's too early to know if the filly's focus would be shifted from the Kentucky Oaks to the Derby.

"I don't know if it's going to change our perspective on that - we're just trying to get through today and we haven't had time to sit down and discuss if that's going to change her position," McPeek said. "If I had to say right now I'd say no it won't - she'll still be in the Oaks. But I'll have to have a lengthy conversation with Jerry and Feye Bach and see what their take is on it."

Repent closed at odds of 12-1 in Pool 3 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager, which closed its four-day run on Sunday, April 7. Harlan's Holiday was the favorite in the pool at 7-1.

Harlan's Holiday Scheduled For Tuesday Work - Harlan's Holiday is scheduled to complete his serious training for Saturday's Toyota Blue Grass (GI) at Keeneland with a work on Tuesday, April 9 at Churchill Downs.

McPeek said Harlan's Holiday would work after the mid-morning break for track maintenance. Jockey Edgar Prado, who rode the colt in the Florida Derby and is scheduled to ride him in the Kentucky Derby, will be at Churchill Downs for the work.

Churchill Downs Work Tab (Track: FAST) - Overbrook Farm's Gold Dollar breezed a half-mile in :49.40. The D. Wayne Lukas-trained colt is scheduled to run in Saturday's Arkansas Derby (GII) at Oaklawn Park...Bonnie Miss (GII) winner Ms Brookski breezed four furlongs in :49...De Bertie breezed five furlongs in 1:03...Duckhorn breezed five furlongs in 1:02.40.

Nomination Deadlines Looms For Derby Week Stakes - Churchill Downs Racing reminds owners and trainers that the deadline for nominations for 11 Kentucky Derby Week stakes races will close on Wednesday, April 10. The stakes races include the $100,000-added Derby Trial, which will be run on Saturday, April 27; the $100,000-added Mamzelle and the $100,000-added La Troienne (GIII), which are scheduled for Thursday, May 2; the $100,000-added Edgewood, the $100,000 Aegon Turf Sprint (GIII), the $300,000-added Louisville Breeders' Cup (GII), and the $100,000-added Crown Royal American Turf (GIII) on Kentucky Oaks Day, May 3; and the $150,000-added Churchill Downs Handicap (GII), the $100,000-added Three Chimneys Juvenile, the $100,000-added Citgo Distaff Turf Mile (GII), and the $200,000-added Humana Distaff (GI), which will be run on the Kentucky Derby Day card on Saturday, May 4.

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