Trainer Shug McGaughey’s Triple Crown hopes have taken a big hit with his top colt Top Billing out of the running after suffering an injury during a work
One of the leading prospects for the $1 million Florida Derby, Top Billing cracked a cannon bone during the gallop at Payson Park on Friday.
The son of Curlin was having first breeze since running third in the G2 Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream Park.
"We saw it after he pulled up from the breeze," McGaughey reported. "We took him back to the barn, we x-rayed it and found it."
McGaughey said the long term prognosis is good for Top Billing, who was sent to Kentucky for a weekend operation.
Top Billing had run three times at Gulfstream Park, for an allowance win and two placings including his Fountain of Youth third at his stakes debut.
McGaughey still has a Triple Crown prospect in his stable in Honor Code, whi is scheduled to make his 2014 debut on March 12 at Gulfstream.
Honor Code's training during the winter was set back by bruised hind ankles but he has had four solid r workouts since being transferred from Payson Park to Gulfstream.
"I'm just looking for him to run a decent race," McGaughey said. "I'd like him to win, but if he doesn't, we'd like to see something to push on with."
Honor Code was expected to be pointed to the G1 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct on April 5 but Top Billing's injury could bring the Florida Derby at Gulfstream on March 29 into McGaughey's plans.
"It's a possibility," said McGaughey.
Meanwhile Cairo Prince, likely favorite for the Florida Derby, took another step towards the race with a half mile workout at Palm Meadows on Saturday.
A dominant winner of the $400,000 Holy Bull on January 25, Cairo Prince has been given four works by trainer Kiaran McLaughlin since the Holy Bull.
"It was just what we ordered and wanted to see," McLaughlin said.
"He looked great doing it, and we're on course for the race. He's doing great.
"We're happy we passed on the Fountain of Youth and hope all goes well the next couple of weeks and we draw a good post in the Florida Derby."
Darley purchased a majority interest in Cairo Prince following his Holy Bull Stakes win, his third in four starts.
His lone loss came by a nose to Honor Code in the Remsen Stakes.Gulfstream Park Derby winner General a Rod returned to the work tab on Saturday for trainer Mike Maker.
Runner-up by a head to Wildcat Red in the Fountain of Youth on February 22 in his most recent start, General a Rod will also have his next start in the Florida Derby.
"He's doing good, his weight's good, his attitude's good, and everything's in place," Maker said.
General a Rod had 6 1/2 weeks from the Gulfstream Park Derby win to the Fountain of Youth and will have had four weeks to the Florida Derby.
