Injury Knocks The Pamplemousse Out of Kentucky Derby; Wagering Suspended in Derby Futures

Apr 05, 2009 John Asher

A leg injury has knocked Sham Stakes (GIII) winner The Pamplemousse out of consideration for the Kentucky Derby and wagering on the colt in Pool 3 of Churchill Downs' Kentucky Derby Future Wager was suspended Sunday afternoon.

The Pamplemousse was scratched from the Santa Anita Derby shortly before Saturday's race because of concern over the condition of a tendon, but his connections said the Kentucky Derby remained an option.  But co-owner Alex Solis II announced on Sunday that The Pamplemousse was definitely out of the Kentucky Derby picture and would undergo tests to determine what treatment would be required for the injury.

'He's comfortable, he's fine,' Solis told Blood-Horse.  'He's going to run again.  He's not finished, but he will not run in the Kentucky Derby.'

Under the official rules of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager, no scratches or refunds are permitted in the wager.  But wagering must be suspended when Churchill Downs officials determine that an injury, illness or other issue will prevent that horse from competing in the Kentucky Derby.  All money wagered to the point of the suspension remains in the pool, but no additional betting is allowed on the horse.

Pool 3 betting on the Pamplemousse was suspended at approximately 4:50 p.m. (all times EDT).  The Pamplemousse was listed at 10-1 in oddsmaker Mike Battaglia's morning line for Pool 3, but those odds had drifted up to 15-1 following his defection from the Santa Anita Derby.  Wagering in the pool is scheduled to close at 6 p.m.