Constitution out of Kentucky Derby

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Hallandale Beach, FL (SportsNetwork.com) - Florida Derby winner Constitution has been declared out of the 140th Kentucky Derby on May 3 with a hairline fracture in his front right cannon bone. The fracture was found on Monday.

"This is one of the biggest disappointments of my career," said trainer Todd Pletcher. "I really feel Constitution was our biggest chance to win the Kentucky Derby since Super Saver. My routine with all my horses is to jog them down the road, and I noticed he was slightly off (Monday). Dr. Yarborough took x-rays that revealed a slight hairline in his shin. Thankfully, it's nothing very serious, and Constitution will be back to 100 percent after a little time. The timing is just a real shame for everyone involved, but the Derby doesn't define a horse's career."

Constitution, owned by WinStar Farm and Twin Creeks Racing, had a half-mile breeze on Sunday at Palm Meadows training track. Monday morning he seemed "a little off in his right front leg."

"While we are extremely disappointed to miss the Kentucky Derby, we're just as excited about the future of Constitution," said Randy Gullatt, Twin Creeks Racing's general manager. "We think he's just scratching the surface of his talent."

Constitution picked up his third win in as many starts by winning the Florida Derby on March 29. The colt has banked $649,350.

The 3-year-old did not make his racing debut until Jan. 11 when he won his maiden race by a length at Gulfstream Park. His second start was on Feb. 22 at Gulfstream when he captured an optional claiming race by 3 1/4 lengths.