First Mission scratched from Preakness, had been second choice behind Derby winner Mage
BALTIMORE — Another Triple Crown race, another top contender scratched just before post time.
First Mission, the 5-2 second choice in the morning line for Saturday’s $1.65 million, Grade 1 Preakness Stakes, was scratched from the race Friday by Godolphin, which owns the horse.
In a news release, Godolphin said it consulted with the 1/ST veterinary team. 1/ST, formerly the Stronach Group, owns Pimlico Race Course.
"Brad Cox worked with the 1/ST veterinary team the last couple of days to try and fully identify a left hind issue but were unable to do so on the grounds at Pimlico," the Godolphin statement read.
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Godolphin said First Mission will receiver further evaluation in Kentucky at Rood and Riddle with Dr. Larry Bramlage.
"We are obviously very disappointed, but the welfare of the horse is our utmost concern and we are going to take the necessary steps to determine the best course of action to get him back on the track," said Michael Bahanan, Godolphin's director of bloodstock.
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First Mission, trained by Louisville’s Brad Cox, won the Grade 3 Lexington on April 15 at Keeneland and was expected to provide tough competition for Kentucky Derby winner Mage in the Preakness.
“I really believe this horse is one of the top 3-year-olds in the country,” Cox said earlier this week.
The news about First Mission was reminiscent of the Kentucky Derby, when morning-line favorite Forte was scratched the morning of the race.
The scratch of First Mission leaves seven horses set to compete in the Preakness Stakes. It would be the smallest Preakness field since seven horses also contended the 1986 Preakness won by Snow Chief.
Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; jfrakes@courier-journal.com; Twitter: @KentuckyDerbyCJ.