Whisper Hill Farm's Charge It , who missed the $1.25 million Runhappy Travers (G1) Aug. 27 at Saratoga Race Course because of a foot abscess in his right front foot, will not be ready to run in the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (G1) at Parx Racing Sept. 24.
"We are running out of time for that," Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher said outside his barn at Saratoga's Oklahoma Training Track Aug. 31.
Charge It, a son of Tapit , last raced on July 2 at Belmont Park when he clobbered five rivals in the Dwyer Stakes (G3). He won the race by 23 lengths and was set to train up to the Travers. A week before the race, he was scratched due to his foot issue.
Since then, Pletcher said the abscess has not healed as fast as he would have hoped.
"There is some of the hoof that hasn't mended back yet," Pletcher said. "If you train him, it's going to stay irritated and never heal up. You have to let it heal up before you start putting pressure on it."
Pletcher said Charge It has been out of his stall and has been walked three times a day. He is hopeful that he can get him back on track for light training this weekend.
Charge It has two wins and two seconds in five career starts. After breaking his maiden in his second start, he finished second in the Curlin Florida Derby Presented by Hill 'n' Dale Farms at Xalapa (G1) April 2 at Gulfstream Park.
He displaced his palate when finishing 17th in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) May 7 at Churchill Downs. Then came the tour de force in the Dwyer which was followed by setbacks.
"You better get used to it in this business," Pletcher said. "It happens all the time."
With the Pennsylvania Derby out, Pletcher said he will wait until Charge It heals before pursuing a new goal.
"There are races every weekend," he said. "First we have to get the foot right, and, once we do that, we will lock on a game plan."
