Triple Threats

CAIRO PRINCE INJURED, OUT OF DERBY 
Cairo Prince (Pioneerof the Nile), the GII Holy Bull S. winner who was expected to be one of the top choices for the GI Kentucky Derby May 3, is out of the race and off the Triple Crown trail after suffering an unspecified ankle injury. The gray colt was most recently fourth as the favorite to the now-sidelined Constitution (Tapit) in the GI Florida Derby Mar. 29. “We were thinking it was feet,” trainer Kiaran McLaughlin told the Louisville Courier-Journal. “We diagnosed it to feet, because he’d had feet issues before, after the Florida Derby….we’ve been working on his feet since Monday and his feet got better, but he didn’t get better. So we kept looking.” Cairo Prince is being sent to Rood and Riddle in Lexington, where he will be examined by Dr. Larry Bramlage. “Dr. Bramlage will help us out and hopefully we’ll get him back by the summer,” McLaughlin said. A majority interest in Cairo Prince was purchased by Sheikh Mohammed’s Darley operation in late February, with Terry Murray’s Namcook Stables, Paul Braverman, Harvey Clarke and Craig Robertson III all retaining minor shares. A leading 
2-year-old of 2013, Cairo Prince won his first two starts, including the GII Nashua S., and was just nosed out of the victory by Honor Code (A.P. Indy) in the GII Remsen S. His score in the Holy Bull came at the expense of Intense Holiday (Harlan’s Holiday), who returned to annex the GII Risen Star S., and Wicked Strong (Hard Spun), recent winner of the GI Wood Memorial S. in New York. 

‘CHROME’ WORKS AT LOS AL 
Likely GI Kentucky Derby favorite California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit)–a dazzling winner of the GI Santa Anita Derby Apr. 5–worked four furlongs in :47.80 
at his Los Alamitos base Saturday morning. Regular rider Victor Espinoza was aboard the Steven Coburn and Perry Martin colorbearer. “Victor said he went great,” trainer Art Sherman said. Los Alamitos had the track free of other horses for California Chrome’s breeze. “The track was immaculate,” Sherman continued. “He’ll have his final workout next Saturday and ship early Monday morning [Apr. 28] for Kentucky. There were some 30 people here today to see him work. He galloped out [five furlongs] in 1:01. Everything went great.” 

‘VICAR’S’ TUNES UP FOR DERBY 
Ken and Sarah Ramsey’s Vicar’s In Trouble (Into Mischief) breezed five furlongs in 1:00.40 yesterday in preparation for the GI Kentucky Derby at Trackside Louisville. “He worked very well and was well in hand,” said trainer Mike Maker. “He had a nice gallop out which is what we were looking for and everything was perfect.” Last seen going wire-to-wire in the 
GII Louisiana Derby Mar. 29, the bay will breeze again next Saturday. Maker will work his other Derby contender General a Rod (Roman Ruler), most recently third in the GI Florida Derby Mar. 29, Tuesday or Wednesday. The conditioner may have a third Derby starter in GIII Spiral S. runner-up Harry’s Holiday (Harlan’s Holiday). Unplaced last time in the GI Toyota Blue Grass S. Apr. 12, the bay moved up to 21st in the Derby standings after the defection of Cairo Prince (Pioneerof the Nile) yesterday due to an ankle injury. “We’ll see if he gets in,” Maker said. “I’ll have to talk to the connections and go from there, but I’m sure they’ll want to run if they can get in. If that’s the case, then he’ll work Saturday at Churchill, too.” 

PLETCHER PAIR PREP FOR OAKS 
Trainer Todd Pletcher’s GII Gazelle S. one-two finishers, My Miss Sophia (Unbridled’s Song) and Got Lucky (A.P. Indy), worked in tandem yesterday at Churchill Downs in preparation for the GI Kentucky Oaks. With My Miss Sophia finishing a neck in front of her stablemate, the pair breezed a half-mile in :48 flat, with splits of :12, :24, :35.80 and a five-panel gallop out in 1:01.60. “I thought they both breezed very well,” Pletcher said. “They seemed to handle the racetrack fine. I’m very happy. They both seemed to have settled in well since their races in New York. I like the way they’re training.” Pletcher continued, “They’re different kind of fillies. As you can see from their running styles, My Miss Sophia has a little more early pace and should be involved early. Got Lucky is the kind of filly that wants to settle back and make one run. The one thing for her in this particular Oaks is there should be an honest pace for her to kind of run the way that she wants to.” 

ROSALIND WORKS FOR THE OAKS 
The Ken McPeek-trained Rosalind (Broken Vow) worked five panels in :58.80 in company with GII Virginia Derby victor War Dancer (War Front)at Keeneland Saturday morning. She was clocked in fractions of :11.60, :22.60, :34, and galloped out six furlongs in 1:12.40. Owned by Landaluce Educe Stables, the chestnut finished in a dead-heat for first in the GI Central Bank Ashland S. with Room Service (More Than Ready) last out Apr. 5. “I thought it was a little quick,” McPeek said of the move. “I wanted a maintenance work of a minute, but I thought War Dancer worked really well.” Rosalind will ship to Churchill Downs Monday and complete her final work for the GI Kentucky Oaks next weekend. “Friday, Saturday or Sunday depending on the weather,” added McPeek. “I want to work on a dry track.” 

‘PABLO’ TAKES A LOOK AT THE PREAKNESS 
Pablo Del Monte (Giant’s Causeway), who filled the show spot in Keeneland’s GI Toyota Blue Grass S., is still being pointed to the GI Kentucky Derby. “Keep him on the list, but the way it looks now, I’m training for the Preakness,” said part-owner and trainer Wesley Ward, who plans to work Pablo Del Monte at Keeneland next weekend. The chestnut has accumulated 20 points towards the Kentucky Derby, good for 23rd on the points list, but only the top 20 horses that pass the entry box on Apr. 30 get a spot in the stalls come Derby Day. 

BOND HOLDER DEAD 
GI FrontRunner S. hero Bond Holder (Mineshaft–Cielo Girl, by Conquistador Cielo) passed away due to laminitis, trainer Doug O’Neil announced on Twitter Saturday. Owned by Reddam Racing, the sophomore was last seen finishing fourth in the GI CashCall Futurity at Hollywood Park Dec. 14. These are the same connections as 2012 GI Kentucky Derby and GI Preakness S. winner I’ll Have Another (Flower Alley). “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Bond Holder to laminitis,” said O’Neill. “Bond Holder through each set back fought valiantly and never gave up. However the severity of the laminitis was ultimately too much to overcome. Our condolences to Mr. Reddam and the caregivers that did everything they could to save him.” Bond Holder, bred in Virginia by Lazy Lane Farm, compiled a record of 7-1-1-2 and $366,000 in earnings. Bond Holder was a $90,000 KEESEP yearling and $125,000 OBSMAR graduate.