The highs and lows of racing were on full display this week at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots after Magnitude, the dominant 9 3/4-length winner of the Feb. 15 Risen Star Stakes (G2), was declared off the Kentucky Derby (G1) trail with an ankle chip Feb. 18 just three days after clinching a spot in the starting gate. The news was first reported by the Daily Racing Form.
"He walked off the wash rack, took a funny step," Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen told BloodHorse Tuesday morning. "Thoroughly went over him and obviously surprised it was there."
Asmussen said that the Winchell Thoroughbreds-owned colt is already on his way to Kentucky where he will undergo surgery with renowned equine veterinarian Dr. Larry Bramlage at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital Feb. 19.
Although disappointed, Asmussen is looking forward to getting the son of Not This Time back to top form later in the year.
"We'll just try to focus on the brilliance he obviously has. Try to do everything to get him back to that level," Asmussen said. "Obviously very disappointing for the entire team."
Asmussen and Winchell's Derby dreams are not fully dashed as another of their top colts, Tiztastic, prepares to run in the Rebel Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn Park Feb. 23. However, the weather could cause some concern as snow storms forecasted to begin Tuesday afternoon could disrupt training.
"I feel very good about (Tiztastic) as a horse who is going in the right direction at the right time," Asmussen said. "Weather this week and weekend is very concerning and hopefully everything will go off without a hitch."
A stakes winner on turf at Kentucky Downs last summer, Tiztastic has hit the board in three consecutive Road to the Kentucky Derby prep races. A top performance would elevate the son of 2020 Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Tiz the Law into millionaire status for Winchell and co-owners Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith.
No Plans Yet for Jonathan's Way After Risen Star Scratch
The Risen Star lost one of its key players the day before the race when Rigney Racing's Jonathan's Way, winner of the Iroquois Stakes (G3) and runner-up of the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) in the fall, was scratched from his 3-year-old debut.
The son of Vekoma had been the 4-1 morning-line second choice before coming up with an unsatisfactory blood count Feb. 14.
Trainer Phil Bauer told BloodHorse that Jonathan's Way will complete his treatment Wednesday and hopefully get back into training soon after.
"No plans for now," Bauer said of the colt's next start. "We'll see how training goes next week and put a plan together."
