Arabian Knight , a 3-year-old son of Uncle Mo and up to date winner of the Jan. 28 Southwest Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn Park, will now not pursue a begin within the Might 6 Kentucky Derby (G1), based on an announcement posted on Twitter March 11 by proprietor Zedan Racing Stables.
The assertion reads: “Arabian Knight is now not into consideration for the KY Derby. Coach Tim Yakteen wasn’t comfortable along with his final work and we really feel it is in Arabian Knight’s greatest curiosity to not rush and permit him extra time to develop. We all know he is a superior expertise and our plan is to level him towards a summer season and fall marketing campaign.”
The colt was lately transferred to Yakteen’s barn from coach Bob Baffert after Baffert misplaced a court docket determination to overturn his two-year ban from Churchill Downs Inc. attributable to remedy violations. The coach switch allowed the precocious colt to start incomes Kentucky Derby qualifying factors, after Churchill Downs Inc. properties banned Baffert runners from accumulating factors by way of this yr’s Triple Crown collection.
Below Baffert, Arabian Knight received a maiden particular weight on debut at Keeneland by 7 1/4 lengths final fall and didn’t begin once more till his valiant victory within the Southwest, outrunning a area of seven others to win by 5 1/2 lengths. In his final work for Yakteen March 3, the colt went six furlongs over the principle observe at Santa Anita Park in 1:13.60.
The Kentucky-bred colt was most lately a $2.3 million buy by agent Gary Younger, for Zedan from the Prime Line Gross sales consignment on the 2022 Ocala Breeders’ Spring Sale of 2-Yr-Olds in Coaching.
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