What happened to Chelokee?

Question

He used to be 20something on the list for graded earnings... like 22, 23, or 24... i'm not sure, but i know he wasn't last... and he wasn't any higher than 22.

anyway, he's not on the list anymore. on the Kentucky Derby website, he's not on the list of derby contenders or on the list of graded earnings. but he's also not on the "of the Derby trail" list either. I know he was very on the fence about whether he could get in, but the horses who have earned less than him were still on the list.

does anyone know where he's racing or if he's skipping to the Preakness or what's up with this horse?

Answer 1

He had a couple minor setbacks and his connections are wisely not running him in the Derby, with his pedigree he would be in tough to get the mile and a quarter anyways.  They are regrouping before they pick his next spot.

He also would not have had enough Graded earnings, but that had nothing to do with the decision not to run, Matz removed him from consideration last week, that's why he ws off the list.  He missed a workout when a reign broke before he was supposed to work and he has been nursing a minor foot problem which put him 2 weeks short race condition, ending his chances of finishing a non threatening 11th in the Derby.

Answer 2

Actually, his rein broke after a workout and he ran and extra mile before he was caught and pulled up. He also has some minor foot problems that set him back. Michael Matz made the right choice last week to not run him because he wasn't ready and brought him home to Maryland last Sunday. With the latest defections of Cobalt Blue, etc. he ight have made it into the field. Mr. Matz is now looking at the Preakness for his next race.

Answer 3

It came down to graded earnings and he couldn't make the field. There has been talk over the years that the Derby have an AE list in case of scratches so there is a better chance of a full field, but that will probably never happen for any number of reasons.

It is hard to say where his next race will be right now, due to Saturday. The Lone Star Derby is in a couple of weeks and all bets are off on the Preakness until the owners/trainers see if a monster emerges in the Derby and it'll be best to take their runners somewhere else. Also, the Ohio Derby is June 2, which may be a good spot, especialy with a $300,000 guaranteed purse.