Chilean Superstar Kay Army Will Not Go in the Woodward
By Bill Finley
The long-awaited U.S. debut of Chilean superstar Kay Army (Chi) (Katmai {Chi}) will have to wait. His current trainer Bill Mott confirmed Monday that the 4-year-old colt will be scratched from Saturday's GII Woodward Stakes at the Belmont at the Big A meet.
When asked where the horse may start next, Mott said he did not know. He also declined to elaborate when asked why he was passing the Woodward, which will now have only four starters.
Mott revealed his plans on the same day that Kay Army worked five furlongs from the gate at Saratoga in 1:02.75.
Owned by Ignacio Hurtado and Ignacio Hurtado, Jr., the colt won all nine of his starts last year, including five Group 1 races. He has started just once this year, in the G1 El Derby Mar. 17, which he won by 6 1/4 lengths and concluded his sweep of the Chilean Triple Crown. He had his first of seven workouts for Mott at Saratoga Aug. 8, going five furlongs in 1:02.75.
Kay Army is 10-for-10 lifetime with $421,708 in earnings.