Jaycito, Santa Anita favorite, is out of the race

Associated Press

ARCADIA, CALIF.

The Santa Anita Derby lost another contender when Jaycito dropped out on the eve of Saturday’s $1 million race because of a bruised front foot.

That leaves Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert with a single entry, 20-1 shot Midnight Interlude, for the West’s biggest prep for the Kentucky Derby.

On Thursday, the race lost Premier Pegasus, the initial early favorite, because of a leg injury that will sideline the colt through the Triple Crown series.

Baffert had said earlier Friday that Jaycito was 50-50 to run because of an abscess, a bacterial infection that causes fluid to accumulate in the foot, often causing pain.

He called the racing office later in the afternoon to say he was scratching the colt, who had been the 2-1 early favorite for the 11/8 -mile race.

“I went ahead and scratched him before I changed my mind [this] morning, so I wouldn’t be tempted,” said Baffert, whose blacksmith was to fly in from Florida to work on the foot. “I don’t feel comfortable running him. It’s just real tender.”

Baffert said he thinks Jaycito developed the bruise after a March 22 workout across town at Hollywood Park. The abscess broke, but he said it remained raw.

He will now point Jaycito toward the Grade 3 Coolmore Lexington Stakes at Keeneland on April 23, two weeks before the May 7 Kentucky Derby.

Without Jaycito, Santa Anita oddsmaker Jon White redid the morning line for the second day in a row. The favorite’s role fell to Silver Medallion at 5-2.

No Santa Anita Derby winner has gone on to wear the garland of roses on the first Saturday in May since Sunday Silence in 1989, marking the longest drought of any of the major Kentucky Derby preps.

Wood Memorial

NEW YORK

Uncle Mo gives his owner, trainer and jockey every indication he can be a special racehorse.

Owner Mike Repole sees it in Uncle’s Mo’s eyes, and in his bay colt’s confident gait and calm demeanor.

Todd Pletcher knows a champion when he sees one, and the nation’s leading trainer says Uncle Mo has the potential to be among the all-time greats if he continues “doing what he’s been doing.”

John Velazquez has been aboard Uncle Mo for all four of his victories and says he’s versatile enough to win no matter how the race sets up.

The rest of the racing world gets another chance to see Uncle Mo today when the leading Kentucky Derby contender goes against nine other 3-year-olds in the $1 million Wood Memorial at Aqueduct Racetrack.