Kentucky Oaks (G1) runner-up Drexel Hill will miss the top 3-year-old filly races at Saratoga Race Course this summer after having a bone chip removed from one of her knees, trainer Whit Beckman confirmed May 21.
Winner of the Busher Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack in March, the Bolt d'Oro filly entered the May 2 Kentucky Oaks off a two-month layoff and long odds of 32-1. Racing last of 13 in the early stages, she mounted a strong rally beneath jockey Ben Curtis to finish second, beaten 2 1/4 lengths by the unbeaten Good Cheer on a sealed, wet-fast track.
In the days following that race, Beckman discovered a bone chip, which he described as more of a small flake, in one of her knees. The chip was removed that week, and Drexel Hill began at least 60 days of farm rest.
"She's going to be out for a little bit," Beckman said. "It's no big deal, we took it out and should be good as new in 60-plus days."
The original targets for the Legion Racing-owned filly had been the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) and Alabama Stakes (G1), both premier races for 3-year-old fillies at Saratoga this summer. With the rest required, Beckman said he expected it would be late summer or early fall at the earliest before she's ready to start running.
"We're more looking at a 4-year-old campaign," he said.
Beckman's second entrant in the Kentucky Oaks, Simply Joking, also emerged from her last-place finish with a flake that is scheduled to be surgically removed May 22. Beckman is focused on getting the Practical Joke filly on target for a 4-year-old campaign as well for owners Grantley Acres, Ryan Conner, Berkels0813, and CMNWLTH.
"These horses were not lame or anything, there was just a minor increase in fluid in the joint," Beckman said. "We just decided where we're at with these 3-year-olds, it's better to go ahead and just get them right and ready to go. Give them the time and let them become even better than they already are."
Flying Mohawk Targets Belmont Derby Invitational
Meanwhile, Beckman's Kentucky Derby (G1) starter, Flying Mohawk, emerged from the May 3 race in good order.
Making his first start on dirt over a sloppy track, the son of Karakontie found himself in midpack surrounded on all sides in the early stages before throwing in the towel to finish 18th of 19.
"You watch him in the turn, his head was up," Beckman said. "He just was hating every bit of it; the kickback, everything."
With the Derby behind him, Beckman plans to send the colt owned by Two Eight Racing, Berry Family Racing, and Kaleta Racing back to the turf where he made the first five starts of his career and earned both his victories.
Flying Mohawk returned to the work tab on the Churchill Downs dirt May 18 with an easy half-mile in :49, the 37th fastest of 75 workers at the distance.
"He worked great," Beckman said. "We're just getting back to those half-miles and get him back to feeling like he was prior to the Derby."
The main target for Flying Mohawk is the $750,000 Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes (G1T) at Saratoga July 4, but Beckman said he is still undecided where or if he will give the colt a prep race ahead of the 1 1/8-mile race.
"I know he's got a ton of talent, ton of ability, and will run a route of ground," Beckman said. "Hopefully we'll get a grade 1 on the grass at some point this year."
Beckman's 2024 Kentucky Derby starter, Honor Marie, is also undecided for his next start. The son of Honor Code picked up his first victory since the 2023 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) while taking the 1 1/2-mile Isaac Murphy Marathon Stakes at Churchill Downs April 30.
After closing from last, Honor Marie had opened up a two-length lead in the stretch before nearly getting caught by Timeout at the wire, holding on by a head. Following that close triumph, Beckman said does not plan on pursuing any more 1 1/2-mile contests with Honor Marie, likely to cut back to distances between 1 1/8 and 1 3/8 miles.
Honor Marie, who races for Ribble Farms and K E M Racing Stable, is nominated to the $1 million Stephen Foster Stakes (G1) over 1 1/8 miles at Churchill Downs June 28, but Beckman said he was undecided if that would be the definitive target.
