Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3) winner Plutarch is off the Kentucky Derby (G1) trail, per Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, Churchill Downs publicity announced Feb. 25.
Baffert did not return a phone call to BloodHorse seeking comment on Plutarch's defection. He told Daily Racing Form the colt would not make the May 2 Derby after Plutarch emerged "a little body sore" from the Feb. 7 Robert B. Lewis at Santa Anita Park, leading him to back off the colt's training.
Plutarch, by seven-time leading sire Into Mischief out of champion Stellar Wind, had been one of Baffert's top hopes for the May 2 Derby, a race he has won six times. The Hall of Fame trainer still has Brant, Litmus Test, and other talented 3-year-olds in play for the 1 1/4-mile first leg of the Triple Crown.
Plutarch races for Coolmore-affiliated owners Susan Magnier, Derrick Smith, and Michael Tabor—who are still represented on the Derby trail by Risen Star Stakes (G2) winner Paladin and debut winner Canaletto, who runs in next week's Tampa Bay Derby (G3). Chad Brown trains those colts for them and other partners.
Plutarch is 2-2-2 in six starts with earnings of $192,000. Before the Robert B. Lewis, he captured a maiden race at Del Mar in late November. He had been second or third in his four earlier starts, a pair of which came in graded stakes.
