SARATOGA SPRINGS — As racing fans begin to prepare for this year’s summer meet at Saratoga, news has just been released that Mo Donegal, recent Belmont Stakes winner, will not partake in any races at the Spa. After Mo Donegal secured victory at the Belmont by three lengths, trainer Todd Pletcher noticed his workouts were lagging in the subsequent weeks. After ordering a full-range of veterinary tests, experts told Pletcher that Mo had suffered some bone bruising.
Ray Bryan, a Skidmore College grad and Saratoga Springs resident, is among the Donegal Racing partners, and as any Saratoga kid would be, he is disappointed his horse can’t run in the staple of the summer meet – the Travers.
“You never want to have it [happen], especially when you live in Saratoga and you’re looking forward to the Jim Dandy and the Travers,” Bryan said. “These are the races you live for, and unfortunately, we found out that it’s an issue he needs to deal with. Hopefully, after 60 days we’ll have a lot better understanding of if he can be raced or not.”
Because Mo Donegal is a three-time graded stakes winner, his stable will have to weigh the decision to race him again or, as with any champion, elect to keep him for breeding. Time will tell what the Donegal Racing partners decide, and more information is sure to come as Mo is continually evaluated this summer.
