2024 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) winner First Resort, scratched from the John Battaglia Memorial Stakes Feb. 22 at Turfway Park due to hind-end stiffness, has been diagnosed with a stress fracture in his left hock, trainer Eoin Harty said.
No surgery will be required, but First Resort will be out of training for 60 days, likely delaying his return until summer or fall, according to Daily Racing Form's David Grening, who first reported the setback.
Godolphin's First Resort, a 3-year-old homebred son of Uncle Mo, went off at 49-1 odds in the latest Kentucky Derby Future Wager that closed in mid-February. No refunds are permitted in the Kentucky Derby Future Wager, which offers large prices on 40 betting options but with increased risk with wagering conducted well before the May 3 Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs.
Even without First Resort, Godolphin still has several other Derby prospects. 2024 Street Sense Stakes (G3) winner Sovereignty, trained by Bill Mott, races in the March 1 Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park, and 2024 Remsen Stakes (G2) winner Poster is expected back in action soon for Harty after running third in the Feb. 8 Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs.
East Avenue, winner of last year's Breeders' Futurity (G1) at Keeneland, is another 3-year-old owned by Godolphin and trained by Brendan Walsh. He ran 10th in the Feb. 15 Risen Star Stakes (G2) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots when kicking off his 3-year-old campaign.
