Lanes End Racing's 'TDN Rising Star' Mask (Tapit), who skyrocketed on many GI Kentucky Derby contender lists with a rousing victory in the Jan. 8 Mucho Macho Man S., will be sidelined from training for two weeks with a setback, according to trainer Chad Brown. The undefeated colt was under consideration for the Feb. 17 GII Risen Star S., but will be forced to miss the race.
“He's unfortunately had a setback, he'll miss about two weeks of training and we're anxious to get him back on track,” Brown said. “We'll evaluate him from there.”
Mask split horses to notch a convincing three-length victory in his 6 1/2-furlong debut at Belmont Oct. 20, defeating promising next-out winner Navistar (Union Rags) in the process. After shipping south for the winter, the $685,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase wired the field in a 6 1/4-length romp in the Mucho Macho Man at Gulfstream. He registered one published workout since the race, a four-furlong breeze at Palm Meadows Jan. 20.
Mask and e Five Racing's Good Magic (Curlin), recently voted champion juvenile male of 2017, are considered Brown's two primary contenders on the road to the Kentucky Derby. Brown has previously stated that Good Magic is likely to make his sophomore debut in Gulfstream's GII Fountain of Youth S. Mar. 3.
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