|
Post Position:  |
|
Recent Developments |
|
Scrap Book |
The Thoroughbred Times reported Friday, Mar. 14 that John C. Oxley's unbeaten Sky Mesa is definitely off the Kentucky Derby trail and trainer John Ward, Jr. would now point the colt toward the Belmont Stakes (GI), the final jewel of the Visa Triple Crown.
Sky Mesa has been out of action since a victory in the Lane's End Breeders' Futurity (GII) in October and his training has been slowed in recent weeks by a foot bruise. Ward said that the son of Pulpit was shipped to Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Ky. earlier this week and underwent a thorough examination by Dr. Larry Bramlage. Ward said the bruise is still there, but Bramlage found no other problems.
"The great thing is we're not dealing with anything joint-related," Ward said. "I think the Belmont Stakes (GI) would be within his reach and is the most logical next step. It's still a question mark, though. We just have to have patience."
"He wasn't responding like I thought he should for a bruise, so to be on the safe side there was a plane heading up to Lexington [Kentucky] and we got him up there to Larry [Bramlage, noted veterinarian], who did a complete job on him and diagnosed that he had a bruise on the inside quarter of his right foot," Ward told Daily Racing Form on Friday, Mar. 14. "Everything else checked out 100 percent."
Ward spoke to the Form from Kexington, Ky. around 12:30 p.m. on Mar. 14 as he was about to put Sky Mesa on a van headed back to South Florida. The son of Pulpit's winter quarters has been Palm Beach Downs, a training center located about 50 miles north of Gulfstream Park. Ward said that Sky Mesa would remain at Palm Beach Downs for a few more weeks before going to Keeneland with the remainder of his string.
"It's one of those things that's day by day - when everything gets right," Ward said of Sky Mesa's ailment."I wouldn't imagine it'll be too long. We re-diagnosed what the problem is with 100 percent surety. It gives us confidence to proceed, and it also stops the rumor mill from running."
|
Sky Mesa News: Sky Mesa Declared From Juvenile With Ankle Injury
Sky Mesa News: Statement From Dr. Larry Bramlage Concerning Sky Mesa's Injury
Sky Mesa News: Ward Hopes Sky Mesa Can End Juvenile Jinx
|
|
As A 3-Year Old |
|
As A 2-Year Old |
|
Off The Visa Triple Crown Trail |
Was a late scratch from the Breeders' Cup Juvenile because of an injury to his right, front, ankle
Won the Grade II Lane's End Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland by four lengths on Oct. 5
Won the Grade I Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga by a length and a quarter
Broke his maiden at first-asking at Saratoga by 7 3/4-lengths, covering six furlongs in 1:10 4/5 |
|
Starter Anaylsys By: Steve Fugitte |
|
Pedigree Analysis By: John Gaver III |
|
Off The Visa Triple Crown Trail |
Born: January 21, 2000
Dosage Index: 2.08
The undefeated bay colt Sky Mesa is by the young sire Pulpit, a son of champion A.P. Indy, who has four black type winners from from two crops including Grade II Super Derby winner Essence Of Dubai, the listed stakes winner Bema, the stakes winner Valid Pulpit and the stakes placed Rushin' To Altar. Sky Mesa is out of the fine racemare Caress, a multiple graded stakes winner who is out of the classy broodmare La Affirmed and is thus is a full sister to the graded stakes winner Country Cat and the Group 3 stakes winner Bernstein. Sky Mesa himself is a half-brother to the graded stakes placed performer Monthir. La Affirmed, Sky Mesa's second dam, is a product of the fine Harbor View Farm broodmare band and in addition to dropping Country Cat and Bernstein, she has foaled Group 3 winner Della Francesca and Grade III West Virgina Derby winner Wiseman's Ferry. Sky Mesa has a stellar distaff family, as he's out of a Storm Cat mare whose distaff family is laden with black-type - he traces back to champion Outstandingly in his third dam and Buckpasser in his fourth dam. As a broodmare sire, sire of sires Storm Cat is the sire of 172 producing daughters and 26 stakes winners including champion Phalaenopsis (Jpn); millionaires Grass World and Black Tuxedo (Jpn) and the stakes winners Max's Pal, Baptize, Berg Ticket (Jpn), Buddha, Sunday Break (Jpn) and Penny's Gold.
|
|
|
CDSN » Churchill Downs Simulcast Network » 
Email This Page
