Louisiana Derby runner-up Stanford has been taken out of Saturday's Kentucky Derby and will likely start two weeks later in the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico.
Trainer Todd Pletcher and the colt's owners made the decision to scratch from the Run for the Roses Thursday afternoon although the 3-year-old drew post 11 in the 20-horse field.
"We entered the horse in the race to see what sort of post he might draw," Pletcher said. "We were on the fence as to whether or not to run him, but we thought we'd take a look. But after seeing the draw and talking to the owners, we decided it might be best to take him out and consider other options."
Stanford, owned by Stonestreet Stables and partners, will be sent back to New York with a probable start in the second leg of the Triple Crown.
"We're thinking now that either the Peter Pan (at Belmont Park on May 9) or the Preakness (at Pimlico on May 16) might be better spots for him," Pletcher said. "The horse is fine. We'll train him tomorrow morning and we'll probably work him the morning of the Derby before we ship him to New York."
The colt won his debut race at Monmouth Park last June 29 followed by a sixth in the Saratoga Special on Aug. 10. Stanford won an allowance race in February to begin his 3-year-old campaign after which he was second to stablemate Materiality in the Islamorada Stakes at Gulfstream Park on March 6. He has earned $199,400.
[SportsNetwork.com]
