Kentucky Derby hopeful Rockport Harbor has bruised foot

By The Associated Press
Tuesday, February 22, 2005


HOT SPRINGS, Ark. -- Kentucky Derby hopeful Rockport Harbor missed his Sunday morning workout at Oaklawn Park because of a bruised left front foot, trainer John Servis said.
Servis, who trained Derby and Preakness winner Smarty Jones last year, said Rockport Harbor's exercise rider called him in the morning to say something was wrong with the horse.

"I got to the barn, called in the blacksmith, and he yanked the colt's shoes off and found the bruise," Servis said. "It's too early to tell how much time Rocky will miss, but obviously time isn't on our side."

The 3-year-old was scheduled to work a mile Sunday morning in preparation for the Rebel Stakes on March 19.

"The best scenario is that he gets back to the racetrack by the end of the week," Servis said.

He said the bruise was being treated with Epsom salts and hot water, along with a salve called icthamol.

Like Smarty Jones, Rockport Harbor will hit the Derby trail in Arkansas with an unbeaten record. If the horse wins his next two starts -- the Rebel and the Arkansas Derby on April 16 -- he'll go into the May 7 Kentucky Derby with the same 6-for-6 record as Smarty Jones.

But now with the injury, Servis said Rockport Harbor's debut at the $250,000 Rebel Stakes against Afleet Alex and Greater Good is on hold.

"I'm not going to rule out the Rebel, but everything has to go right, and right now it's too early to say," Servis said. "We'll know more in a day or two."

Rockport Harbor gashed his right rear foot at Aqueduct last year, when a trailing horse stepped on him at the first turn, but the injury wasn't career ending.

The horse was shipped to Oaklawn in early January and had three solid five-furlong works over the track.

"Foot bruises happen all the time," Servis said. "You treat them, and go on. But with a horse like Rockport Harbor, you don't take chances."



Kentucky Derby hopeful Rockport Harbor has bruised foot