Florida Derby (G1) winner Tappan Street is out of the May 3 Kentucky Derby (G1) after exiting an April 26 workout at Churchill Downs with a condylar fracture to his right front leg. The injury is not life-threatening, according to trainer Brad Cox.
The colt breezed five furlongs in :59 3/5 at around 9 a.m. Saturday morning, and jockey Luis Saez noticed the horse was in a degree of discomfort after the workout. X-rays taken at Cox's barn revealed "a little crack."
Cox said Tappan Street would visit noted equine surgeon Larry Bramlage from Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital near Lexington.
"It's nothing I don't believe at all, but he does require surgery, and he's obviously out of the Derby," Cox said.
Tappan Street, a 3-year-old son of Into Mischief , would have been one of the top five favorites for the Derby after winning two of three starts for owners WinStar Farm, CHC, and Cold Press Racing. He defeated Sovereignty in the Florida Derby and was second to Burnham Square in his only prior start in stakes company, the Holy Bull Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park.
Render Judgment Gains a Berth
Tappan Street's withdrawal from the Derby opens a starting position for longshot Render Judgment to move into the field.
With one win in seven starts, Render Judgment will be entered against the recommendation of trainer Kenny McPeek, who conditions last year's winner Mystik Dan.
Speaking before the announcement of Tappan Street injury, when it appeared Render Judgment would be an alternate in the Derby, McPeek said he preferred a more winnable allowance to give the son of Blame more confidence. But the ownership group—Baccari Racing Stable, Dream Walkin Farms, MJM Racing, and Rocket Ship Racing—chose differently.
"The ownership group talked about it, and they really want to run in the Derby," McPeek said. "If that's what they want to do, that's what we're gonna do. He's gonna have to find another level."
Render Judgment broke his maiden at Churchill Downs in his second attempt and then went on the Derby trail, most recently finishing second in the Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs and fifth in the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at Keeneland.
"He's going to have to run the race of his life," McPeek said. "We're going to have to have a lot of things go right, but physically, he's doing super. I don't have any excuse not to run him because of health. And, look, it is a dream for many people, and I'm gonna go with that dream."
He said hopefully the owners' decision makes him say, "dang" afterward. "It'll be fun."
Render Judgment breezed five furlongs in :59 earlier in the morning on Saturday.
Barring another late defection, Santa Anita Derby (G1) runner-up Baeza will be an also-eligible in the 1 1/4-mile Derby, which is capped at 20 starters. Also-eligibles can draw into the Derby if a scratch occurs by the morning of May 2.
