BENSALEM, Pa. – Keepmeinmind, the 5-1 morning-line third choice in Saturday’s Grade 1, $1 million Pennsylvania Derby, will not run.
Trainer Robertino Diodoro said the son of Laoban has an abscess in his left front foot.
“It’s just bad timing,” Diorodo said. “He trained like a monster (Thursday) and we needed the pony to get him off the track, he was feeling so good. This is definitely disappointing, but the main thing is the horse is going to be ok. Terrible timing.”
Keepmeinmind last raced in the Grade 1 Travers at Saratoga on Aug. 28, finishing fourth. He has not won a race in seven starts this year. For his career, Keepmeinmind has one win, three seconds and a third-place finish in 11 starts.
Diodoro had confidence in the week leading up to the Pennsylvania Derby because of the way the late-running Keepmeinmind had been working at Belmont Park.
Now, instead of getting the colt ready for a ship to Parx early Saturday morning, Keepmeinmind will remain at Belmont. Friday afternoon, he was in his stall, his left foot soaking in a tub.
“He is sulking a little bit right now,” Diorodo said. “Those abscesses, they’re painful. He will be back to himself in a few days.”
With the defection of Keepmeinmind, the field for the Pennsylvania Derby has been reduced to eight. Earlier in the week, Medina Spirit, the 2-1 morning line favorite, was taken out of the race by trainer Bob Baffert.
By Tim Wilkins/Parx Press Office
Photo: Keepmeinmind gallops at Pimlico Race Course in advance of the 146th Preakness Stakes. (Photo courtesy of Maryland Jockey Club)
