Shirl's Speight Out of Derby Contention

Saturday, August 29, 2020 | 2:53 pm

Updated: August 29, 2020 at 4:26 pm

Toronto Ont.July 25, 2020.Woodbine Racetrack.Jockey Rafael Hernandez guides Shirl's Speight to victory in the $125,000 dollar Marine Stakes at Woodbine for owner Charles Fipke and Hall of Fame trainer Roger Attfield. michael burns photo

'TDN Rising Star' Shirl's Speight (Speightstown) is no longer being pointed to the GI Kentucky Derby after developing a cough Saturday.

“Unfortunately, Shirl's Speight has come up with a minor cough today and he will not be going to the Kentucky Derby,” owner/breeder Fipke Stable tweeted. “His health is our number one concern, and we'll look forward to his next race.”

“He's coughing and full of mucus so we've had to put him on antibiotics,” trainer Roger Attfield said. “I've had four or five of them [get sick] these last couple weeks actually. It's nothing majorly serious but it's bad timing. We were looking forward to seeing if we could something fancy but there will be another day. Just normal stuff we have to go through quite often.”

An impressive debut winner at Woodbine July 4, Shirl's Speight followed suit with a victory in that venue's GIII Marine S. July 25.