Secret Circle ruled out of the Kentucky Derby
Most recently runner-up to stable mate, Bodemeister, in the Grade 1, $1 million Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park on 14 April, 2012, and co-owner Michael Pegram owned 3-year-old colt, Secret Circle, will miss the Grade 1, $2 million Kentucky Derby at Churchill
Downs on 5 May, 2012.
Bob Baffert trained son of Eddington, is a multiple graded stakes winner, and was pointed toward the Run for the Roses, but couple of days after his nine and a half length defeat to winner Bodemeister in one of the most important prep races for the Derby,
Secret Circle’s injury was discovered which ruled him out of the biggest race of his career thus far.
The Kentucky bred colt will be out of action for four months with a sesamoid injury which was confirmed by co-owner Michael Pegram on 19 April, 2012.
“It’s a sesamoid problem but we got lucky because he won’t need surgery,” Pegram said. “I honestly think he had a chance (in the Derby). I know a lot of people didn’t think so, but any time you’re five-for-seven and have made a million dollars you’re a legitimate
horse.
“We misnamed him; we should have named him Rodney (as in Dangerfield). He’s just a neat little horse, that’s all I can say. He’s been a pleasure to be around and I look forward to bringing him back next year.”
As a 2-year-old, Secret Circle stayed undefeated with three starts coming at three different venues. He debuted his racing career at Del Mar where he broke his maiden at first asking over the venue’s synthetic surface going five and a half furlongs.
Stretched out in distance in October last year, Secret Circle went six furlongs in the Jack Goodman Stakes at Santa Anita Park’s dirt course, and won the race comfortably over runner up Galex.
Out of mare Ragtime Hope by Dixieland Band, Secret Circle capped off his 2011 campaign with a win in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Sprint last fall at Churchill Downs.
In his sophomore season, Secret Circle won two and last two in four starts, and the ones he lost were all runner up finishes. With his stellar record, Secret Circle will surely be missed at Churchill Downs.
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