Win Willy Another Contender Out of 2009 Kentucky Derby
Bloodhorse.com has reported Wednesday that Win Willy will not be racing in this weekend's Kentucky Derby. Win Willy had odds of +3000 and, unlike favorite Quality Road, which was pulled from the Derby a few days ago, there was little guarantee this horse would even make it among the 20 to race.
Win Willy, fourth-place finisher in the Arkansas Derby (gr. II), was declared out of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) by trainer Mac Robertson on the morning of April 29, hours before entries were to be taken for the May 2 race at Churchill Downs, the report states.
Robertson said an x-ray taken Tuesday revealed a "line" in the left front ankle that could or could not be a problem. So, to err on the side of caution, the connections decided not to enter the son of Monarchos in the Derby but to give him 30 days off
After winning two of his first three starts, Win Willy posted a huge upset over then-Derby favorite Old Fashioned when he took the Rebel by 2 1/4 lengths at odds of 57-1.
The horse was purchased for $25,000 at the 2007 Kenneland September yearling sale.