April 29 - Just as horseracing fans were coming to terms with the scratching of favorite Quality Road from the 2009 Kentucky Derby, they were subjected to yet more bad news when trainer Kelly Breen announced yesterday that his talented charge, Square Eddie, will also have to sit out of this year's race.

Like Quality Road, Square Eddie also suffered an injury to one of his legs in the form of a recurring cannon bone injury that has definitely ruled him out of the Derby at Churchill Downs in Lexington. Said O'Neill, 'He's got heat in the shin. We X-rayed it, and it looks good, but heat is the first sign of some activity.'

The trainer said how terrible the timing of the injury was, considering that from early March until yesterday the three-year-old colt had been injury free. In February Square Eddie suffered a minor cannon bone fracture, but after extensive rehabilitation and subsequent races he was thought to have fully recovered.

The news is particularly disappointing as Square Eddie was being touted as the 'comeback kid' in this year's Derby. Continued O'Neill, 'We've no choice but to back off. Obviously I'm bummed. It's very disappointing. On his best day, I think Square Eddie is as good as any colt. He belonged in this group.'

With Square Eddie out of the race, it has meant that jockey Corey Nakatani is now without a ride. He must also be pretty 'bummed out' considering he turned down a ride on another Kentucky Derby runner, Mr. Hot Stuff, in favor of Square Eddie. John Velazquez will be aboard Mr. Hot Stuff on Saturday.

Velasquez was scheduled to ride race favorite Quality Road, but when he was scratched, Mr. Hot Stuff's trainer Eoin Harty snapped up the champion jockey. With Quality Road out of the race, it means that impressive Wood Memorial Stakes winner, I Want Revenge, will likely go into the race as the favorite.

This was only confirmed further when Joe Talamo aboard I Want Revenge delivered a sharp workout yesterday, completing a half-mile in an impressive time of 47.34s. Said Talamo, 'I feel we accomplished what we wanted. The last two times he worked the track was deep and soggy, but it was great today.'

Other Articles:

Top Horses and Horsemen in Kentucky Derby Today - 05-02-09

Posts Selected for 2009 Kentucky Derby Twenty - 05-01-09

Takeover Target vs Huxssen in Goodwood - 05-01-09

Rachel Alexandra Should Win Kentucky Oaks - 05-01-09

Two Big Races for Singapore in May - 04-29-09

Peter Moody Eyes Second Derby Victory - 04-29-09

Quality Road Scratched from 09 Kentucky Derby - 04-28-09

Kentucky Derby Works on Sunday Impress - 04-27-09





2011/12/09 12:48:56 AM