Decorated Knight scratched from Million

By RON FLATTER

Decorated Knight, a Group 3 winner in his last race in Ireland, was scratched this morning from Saturday’s Grade 1 Arlington Million after it was discovered he injured himself overnight, sustaining a cut above the fetlock on his left front leg.

“According to security, he got out of his box (stall), but they're not quite sure how,” said Tom Charlton, who is here at Arlington Park looking after the 4-year-old for his father, trainer Roger Charlton. “There is a bit of blood on the wall next to (Arlington Million entrant) Mondialiste’s box. Whether he caught it there or grazed it, we're not sure. It's a bit of a mystery as to how he got out.”

The accident happened at barn 28, which is one of two being used for horses that were quarantined after overseas travel this week.

At first it appeared the Galileo colt would need surgery. But on further inspection that was not a certainty this morning.

“He’s going to the clinic (Merritt and Associates Equine Hospital in Wauconda, Illinois),” Tom Charlton said. “There’s a chance they may just stitch it back up or he might just need a bandage after cleaning out any infection. He should be able to fly tomorrow back to the UK.”

Charlton was optimistic that Decorated Knight would be back on the track soon.

Listed on the morning line at 10-1, Decorated Knight won last last month’s Group 3 Meld Stakes at Leopardstown for his second win in his last three races and his first victory in a group or graded stakes. He was to have been ridden by Jose Valdivia Jr. and from the number 8 post for Saudi owners Saleh Al Homaizi and Imad Al Sagar.

Decorated Knight photo courtesy of Michael Adolphson via Twitter