By Bill Finley
Trainer Wesley Ward has sent some very good horses to Royal Ascot over the years and has won 12 races there. Win No. 13 looked to be well within his reach as he was planning on sending Outfielder (Speightstown) to the GII Norfolk S. on June 19. The horse was so impressive when winning his debut that some believed he could be the best horse Ward ever sent to Ascot.
But a Tuesday morning workout at Keeneland yielded a minor injury that will keep the two-year-old home.
“We breezed him and there was a little bit of a shin issue,” Ward said. “It is very disappointing. With any horse, let alone one with this quality, you don't want to have any issues going into the race. This is just a minor problem and we're still hoping to have a great year with him. I'm still very excited about his future.”
Ward remains hopeful that Outfielder can make the GI Prix Morny in Deauville, France on Aug. 24. The Kentucky-based conditioner has won that race three times, with No Nay Never (Scat Daddy) , Lady Aurelia (Scat Daddy) and Campanelle (Ire) (Kodiac ({GB}).
With Outfielder sidelined, Ward will not have a starter at this year's Royal Ascot meet.
Racing at Churchill Downs, Outfielder won his debut by 6 1/4 lengths and covered the five furlongs on the turf in :55.93 seconds.
“He moves like a cat,” Ward said after the race. “Usually, big horses like him are kind of lumbery and they don't have the agility that this guy does.”
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