Hall of Fame trainer and Kentucky native, McGaughey is still seeking his first Kentucky Derby victory. He trained Hall of Famer Easy Goer to a second-place finish in the 1989 edition of the Kentucky Derby.
“I’ve been worried about it [the Kentucky Derby] since I started rubbing horses in 1971 or 2,” said McGaughey.
Violence, whose victories in the Nashua Stakes and CashCall Futurity as a two-year-old had put him on several handicappers’ Kentucky Derby top ten lists, lost nothing in defeat. The way he battled on to come back at Orb after he was passed showed the heart needed to win a race like the Kentucky Derby. However, for Violence that strength will not be needed for the Kentucky Derby, but for the battle that lies ahead as the colt overcomes an injury sustained during the Fountain of Youth.
It was announced Sunday afternoon that Violence suffered a fracture to his front right medial sesamoid and is now off the Kentucky Derby trail. HRTV later reported that the colt had been retired from racing.
“It’s such a disappointment to see such a promising colt sustain an injury,” said trainer Todd Pletcher. “He’s been training beautifully and made such an impressive effort in his second place finish yesterday.”
Orb returned $12.80, $4, and $3. Violence paid $2.40 and $2.10 and completed the $2 exacta for $26.40. Speak Logistics paid $4 and completed the $1 trifecta for $72.90. Majestic Hussar completed the $1 superfecta for $233.10. The final time for the 1 1/16 mile race over the fast dirt was 1:42:24.
To see a replay of the Fountain of Youth click here.
Photo: Courtesy Gulfstream Park
