Plutarch drops out of the Derby and Baffert rearranges his artillery

The Coolmore colt, winner of the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3), will not be in physical condition for the challenge

Plutarch will continue with light training for a few weeks / BENOIT PHOTO

ARCADIA, California (Special for Turf Diario).- The road to the Kentucky Derby (G1) lost one of its strong names in the last few hours. Plutarch, winner of the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3), is officially out of the route to Churchill Downs, as confirmed by the racetrack's press office this Wednesday.

According to statements given by Bob Baffert, his trainer, to the Daily Racing Form, the colt came out "a bit physically sore" after his victory on February 7 at Santa Anita Park, which led to a reduction in the intensity of his works. The six-time Derby winner opted not to force the timing and ruled out his participation in the May 2 edition.

Plutarch, a son of the multiple leading sire Into Mischief and the champion Stellar Wind (Curlin), was considered one of Baffert's main cards for the opening mile and a quarter of the Triple Crown. His profile combined elite pedigree and sporting progression, factors that had quickly installed him among the heavyweight candidates.

With a record of 2-2-2 in 6 starts and earnings of US$ 192,000, the bay had managed to break his maiden at Del Mar in late November before consecrating himself in the Robert B. Lewis. Previously, he had finished second or third on four occasions, two of them in graded stakes, showing consistency and ability.

For Baffert, however, the withdrawal does not mean running out of ammunition. The trainer keeps Brant, Litmus Test(Nyquist) —confirmed for the Rebel Stakes (G2)— and other three-year-olds with stakes aspirations in the race, in a year where the competition for qualifying points is particularly demanding.

As for the colors associated with Coolmore —Susan Magnier, Derrick Smith, and Michael Tabor— they will continue to be represented on the path to the Derby with Paladin (Gun Runner), recent winner of the Risen Star (G2), and Canaletto (Into Mischief), undefeated in his debut and with his next stop in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3), both under the preparation of Chad Brown.

The news serves as a reminder of a constant at this time of year: the Derby is not only run in May, it is also survived until reaching it. And in that invisible race against the calendar and physical demand, every decision weighs as much as a victory.