Tappan Street has been withdrawn from the Kentucky Derby after sustaining a condylar fracture to his right front leg, trainer Brad Cox confirmed Saturday.
The Florida Derby winner completed a five-furlong workout in :59.60 Saturday morning when jockey Luis Saez detected an issue. Subsequent X-rays at the barn revealed the fracture.
“It’s nothing major I don’t believe at all,” Cox told the Louisville Courier Journal. “But he does require surgery and obviously he is out of the Derby. I don’t think it’s career-ending or anything.”
The colt, owned by WinStar Farm LLC, CHC, Inc. and Cold Press Racing, had been considered a leading contender for the Run for the Roses following his impressive victory in the Grade I Florida Derby on March 29.
Tappan Street’s withdrawal creates an opportunity for Render Judgment (Blame), trained by last year’s Derby-winning trainer Kenny McPeek. The colt, who finished fifth in the Grade I Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland, will now draw into the field. Render Judgment’s sole victory came in a maiden race at Churchill Downs last October.
The Into Mischief colt had made just three career starts before his injury — winning his debut at Gulfstream Park on December 28, finishing third in the Grade II Holy Bull Stakes, and capturing the Florida Derby in his final prep race.
Cox did not provide a timeline for Tappan Street’s recovery, though his comments suggest the promising three-year-old could return to racing following surgery and rehabilitation.
