GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile romper Texas Red (Afleet Alex) is still pointing towards the GI Santa Anita Derby Apr. 4 despite a slight setback caused by an abcess. The bay has been swimming in order to stay fit while he recovers from the abcess, which was discovered in his right front foot following a second-place finish in the GII San Vicente S. Feb. 1.
“He'll continue swimming and doing Aqua Tred, probably until the end of the month,” trainer Keith Desormeaux said Friday morning. “We'll try to get him in [to Santa Anita] around Mar. 1 and crank him up again.”
The conditioner added, “The reports are all good; the thing's still draining, but he's always been sound on it. Since it popped, it's drained, but he's good. I just want to give him plenty of time to recover. He missed the race we were pointing for anyway [Saturday's GII Risen Star at the Fair Grounds], so the Santa Anita Derby's the goal now. I just don't need to rush him back; that's the mindset.”
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
