Palace Malice Out of Westchester

Dogwood Stable and Three Chimneys Farm’s 2013GI Belmont S. hero Palace Malice (Curlin) has been scratched from his expected return in Belmont’s GIII Westchester S. May 2 after being diagnosed with a bruised right front foot, according to Dogwood Stable’s Cot Campbell. The bay will now point toward the GI Metropolitan H. 

“We’re distressed about it, of course, but it is not serious,” said Campbell. “He did not train yesterday or today, and may not train tomorrow, and to go into a race like the Westchester without full preparation is not right. We’ve waited a long time to run him. The plan is to move onto the [GI] Metropolitan H. [June 6].” 

The Todd Pletcher charge was last seen running sixth in the GI Whitney S. at Saratoga Aug. 2, and was diagnosed with a bone bruise in his left hind cannon bone shortly after that race. Prior to his off the board finish in the Whitney, Palace Malice was undefeated in four starts last term. including victories in the GII Gulfstream Park H., GII New Orleans H., GIII Westchester S. and the Met Mile. 

“It’s a shame, because with the exception of Tonalist, the Westchester seemed like a good place to bring him back,” Cambell said. We’ll look ahead now to the Met Mile.”