Will Forte be in the 148th Preakness? Or even in the Belmont Stakes?
Kentucky Derby favorite Forte with owner Mike Repole the week before the race. (Jenny Photo/Past the Wire)
By Maribeth Kalinich
The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission released a statement today regarding Derby hopeful Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable’s Forte, the reason for scratching the colt from the 149th Kentucky Derby and the process under new HISA rules. (see below)
Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) Rule 2241(a) is part of the Racetrack Safety Program that went into effect July 1, 2022.
“The safety regulations have been in effect since that date for all race tracks, other than those in the states of West Virginia, Louisiana, and Texas. All other jurisdictions including Churchill, have been abiding by HISA safety regulations since that July 1, 2022 implementation date,” according to Eric Hamelback, CEO of the National HBPA via email.
The HISA Anti-Doping and Medication Control Program (ASMC) is resume May 22, 2023.
KHRC gave a synopsis of Rule 2241(a). Click here to read it in its entirety. Click here for all of the Racetrack Safety Program Rules.
The crux of the matter is Forte went on the vets’ list the day after the Kentucky Derby, May 7 and won’t be off for 14 days, May 21, the day after the Preakness Stakes.
Wait, there’s more. In order to be removed from the list Forte has to have a work, physical exam and a blood test that could take an additional 7 to 10 days to receive results, May 28-31.
Forte would be released from this bruised foot that scratched him from the Derby vets’ list ruling at the latest, 11 days shy of the June 10 Belmont Stakes.
Frank Angst at the BloodHorse wrote a very thorough article noting a few questionable areas of the events and records regarding Forte and the veterinarians during his pre-Derby residency.
Angst’s observations include the notations of why horses were scratched from the Kentucky Derby and noted that Forte was listed as a “trainer” scratch not a vet scratch. Although Angst further notes in BloodHorse, the subsequent statement issued by Churchill Downs stated Forte was scratched by the state veterinarian.
Another interesting passage in the BloodHorse article supports what we already reported when Forte was scratched. The Pletcher trainee was on the Vets list with the KHRC and scheduled to drop off race day for The Derby. (Editor’s note: He came off for the Derby, he goes on for the Preakness.)
“According to KHRC records, this is the second time Forte has been placed on the vet’s list in the past few weeks, although the reason for that initial appearance, April 22, on the vet’s list in Kentucky is not listed. Oddly enough, the KHRC report for May 4 lists Forte as going on the list April 22 and coming off May 6 but a report issued April 25 makes no mention of Forte being on the vet’s list.” Click here to read full article.
Should this ruling stick and Forte be bound by a HISA vets’ list restriction until late May the undefeated colt’s 3-year-old campaign could be dramatically impacted.
Apparently, no one told Todd Pletcher about the ruling that went into effect yesterday. Maryland Jockey Club sent out a press release with a quote from the conditioner: “[Forte] looked very good,” Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher said. “He galloped a mile and three-eighths very comfortably. Seemed happy like he normally is. He’ll work probably Friday or Saturday.”
Asked if there was any sign left of the bruise, Pletcher said, “No, I think that’s completely subsided now. Right now, I’d say we’re looking good to breeze for the Preakness. If we’re happy with that, that’s what we’re thinking.”
Of being scratched from the Derby, “I’m mostly disappointed for the Violas and the Repoles and the horse himself,” Pletcher said, referencing owners Vinnie Viola and Mike Repole and their families. “As we know, you’ve got to be good on the one particular day, and there are no makeups. We’ve just got to adjust, move on and focus on trying to prepare him the best we can for the Preakness.”
This is Forte’s work today, Monday, May 8, at Churchill Downs.
