Texas Red off Kentucky Derby trail but could still make a major impact

Texas Red, a smashing 6 ½-length winner of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, has been removed from Kentucky Derby consideration. His connections announced the decision on a Facebook post:

To the fans of Texas Red and Thoroughbred Horse Racing,

Considering the best interests of the horse and his long-term welfare, the connections of Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Texas Red have decided to remove him from consideration for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands. We feel we do not have adequate time to prepare Texas Red for a prep race that he would need to get in condition for, and attain adequate points for, a Derby start.

We look forward to bringing him back to the races when he is ready to compete once again at the highest level, and hope to again share his talent and brilliance with racing fans throughout the country.

One of the highest-rated Kentucky Derby prospects entering 2015, Texas Red opened his sophomore campaign with a fast-finishing neck second in the seven-furlong San Vicente at Santa Anita on February 1 and was readying for next appearance in the February 21 Risen Star at Fair Grounds when he was sidelined by a foot abscess.

He was shipped to Premier Equine Center in Oakdale, California to recover and returned to trainer Keith Desormeaux’s Santa Anita barn on March 9. Texas Red recorded a workout last Saturday, breezing four furlongs, and was expected to point toward the Santa Anita Derby on April 4 or the Arkansas Derby a week later.

Texas Red remains eligible to make a significant impact later this year, with 2013 champion two-year-old Shared Belief serving as a prime example.

After winning the CashCall Futurity in December 2013, Shared Belief was readying for his three-year-old debut at Santa Anita when he was sidelined by a foot problem, an injury that forced him to bypass the Triple Crown series.

Shared Belief came back to post Grade 1 wins over older horses Pacific Classic and Awesome Again in the late summer/early fall and was favored in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Texas Red will be given plenty of time to recuperate and we can hope to see him return in top form this summer.

Photo Credit of Texas Red winning Breeders' Cup Juvenile: Horsephotos.com/Celia Gustavsson