By Bill Finley
River Thames (Macleans's Music), who was most recently third in the GI Blue Grass Stakes, will not go in the GI Kentucky Derby and will instead use the extra two weeks off to prepare for the GI Preakness Stakes.
The story was first reported by the Daily Racing Form's David Grening.
“We just felt like the Preakness gave him a little more time and it felt like that was a better spot,” said Elliott Walden, the president of WinStar Farm, which co-owns the colt along with the China Horse Club. “I think it was the right decision for the horse and that's what we try to do.”
Walden is bullish on the colt's chances in the Preakness.
“I feel good about his chances in the Preakness,” he said. “We've seen horses that skip the Derby run very well in the Preakness. Not all of them. Usually, the Derby winner runs well in the Preakness, as well. But there are a lot of horses that skip the Preakness after they run in the Derby. We think he'll have a good shot.”
With the defection, trainer Todd Pletcher will have just one starter in this year's Derby, GII Wood Memorial runner-up Grande (Curlin). The WinStar-China Horse Club team will be represented by GI Florida Derby winner Tappan Street (Into Mischief)
The defection of River Thames means that Built (Hard Spun) has moved into 20th place in the point standings. His connections have yet to confirm that they will start in the Derby.
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