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Georgie Boy Out of Santa Anita Derby, Unlikely For Kentucky

posted by John Asher on March 31, 2008 Tags: , ,
Georgie Boy (Photo by: Benoit)Georgie Boy (Photo by: Benoit)

The Santa Anita Derby (GI) lost one of its major contenders on Monday when it was announced that San Vicente and San Felipe (GII) winner Georgie Boy would miss the race because of a pulled muscle in his back.

News of the injury came in a press release that included details on the injury offered by trainer Kathy Walsh.

"It’s high on his back end and we don’t know how long it will take (to heal), but we’re not going to take a chance," Walsh said. "He was a little tight in his back end yesterday, and we had him tested and X-rayed and everything was fine in that regard."

With the 1 1/8-mile Santa Anita Derby out of the picture, Walsh said a run in the $1 million Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (GI) on May 3 at Churchill Downs was unlikely.

"I wouldn’t want to run him in the Kentucky Derby without a prep race," she said. "Maybe we’ll see him in the Pacific Classic (at Del Mar in August)."

Georgie Boy's win in the San Felipe was his first at two turns and his likely defection from the Kentucky Derby picture deprives Kentucky Derby 134 of one of its best "feel good" stories of the campaign. Walsh, 67, is a veteran trainer with one Kentucky Derby appearance to her credit. Owner-breeder George Schwary of San Fernando, Calif. had never participated in a Kentucky Derby.

A gelded son of Tribal Rule, Georgie Boy has a record of 4-2-1 in seven races with earnings of $496,806.

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geezy504

03/31/2008 9:43 pm

Georgie Boy Is A GREAT HORSE.............In California!! I cant mess with him being from there. He is without a doubt in the top 5 3yr old group right now but i wouldnt have liked his chances in the Derby at all!!

DrMax944

03/31/2008 9:47 pm

"I heard the news today, how sad!" I really liked Georgie Boy's big, competitive heart and late kick! I loved to watch him race because he did it with such zest and vigor. Georgie Boy was my one and only for the SA Derby and one of my ones for the Roses. I will miss seeing him on the Road to the Roses. As an owner of horses, I admire the integrity of his owner and trainer and their dedication to Georgie Boy's welfare. And Georgie Boy, a quick and speedy recovery to you! See you in the Pacific Classic in August, Georgie Boy!

Geronimo2123

04/01/2008 4:18 am

I was really looking forward to seeing Georgie Boy lock it up with the Colonel and El Gato Malo (and Yankee Bravo, Signature Move, etc.).

The SA Derby will still be a great prep, but this was the 1st time in about 5 years where I had 4 California horses in my top 10 (EGM, Col John, Georgie Boy, numbers 3,4 and 6 and Yankee Bravo I had in a tie for 10th). Hope we get to see GB run later this year as it sounds like its just a pulled back muscle. Lots of heart and tactical speed.

Cdpotato4

04/01/2008 11:59 am

He was my #1.

Now must look elsewhere.

Cdpotato4

04/01/2008 12:02 pm

Speaking of west coast horse...I posted this on John's last blog and it was ignored...maybe they'll be some comments now

:

Let's talk about a horse who made a return to the track last Saturday.

In his first race since the Juvenile, Salute the Sarge won the San Miguel at Santa Anita in runaway fashion, defeating 2 stakes winners at 3y in Leonides and Sea of Pleasure.

He already has the graded earnings to make the field on May 3rd. Trainer Eric Gulliot and company will point him towards the Lexington Stakes as his final derby prep.

The hope is that he can stretch out as many feel he is simply a sprinter. His pedigree says sprinter, but if you look deeper Storm Cat/Secretariat are found on his sire's side while the great Mr. Prospector is on the dam's side. This is proof that he may be able to go longer and if he can he may be a derby contender.

The last derby winner to come out of the Lexington Stakes was Charasmatic in 1999 who nearly won the Triple Crown. He also shipped from Santa Anita to Keeneland that year for his final prep. Another interesting comparison- Charasmatic's Grand Sire is Storm Bird- Great-grand Sire of Salute the Sarge.

geezy504

04/01/2008 8:21 pm

I like Salute The Sarge But Only a 3 week layoff after The Coolmore Wont Be Good Goin In To The Derby!

phil_cayla

04/01/2008 8:32 pm

gezzy, only 2 weeks b/t the Coolmore and K.Derby

Cdpotato4

04/01/2008 9:23 pm

Lexington Stakes Winners, in the money, in the Derby since 1985:

1988- Risen Star 3rd
1999- Charasmatic 1st
2002- Proud Citizen 2nd

Others who ran well in the Triple Crown:

1991- Hansel, 1st Preakness and Belmont
1997- Touch Gold, 1st Belmont

patbateman

04/06/2008 2:44 pm

John, too bad about Georgie Boy, his presence would have added a lot to this year's Derby. Hey are you waiting to see how Pyro runs this week or have you already made up your mind on him? I'm not going to bet or put too much stock in the results or times of the Blue Grass, but it could be an important race even still. I think my opinion of Pyro is already finalized and nothing will change barring injury and horrbile post postion. I like Big Brown a little more but bet Pyro in this future wager because all the hype and new money is on Big Brown and Colonel John. I do think Pyro's odds will be lower on Derby day, so I got some good coverage now. I will bet Big Brown only on Derby day if he looks good and has a decent post. What are your thoughts about the final preps?