There won’t be a Triple Crown winner in 2019.
Bill Mott, the trainer of Kentucky Derby winner Country House, told the Daily Racing Form that the horse will not race in the Preakness Stakes because he has become ill.
“He developed a little bit of a cough this morning,” Mott told the Daily Racing Form by telephone. “His appetite is good. He doesn’t have a fever. But he’s coughing. We drew blood. He’s acting like he’s going to get sick. He’s off the training list, and if he’s off the training list, he’s off the Preakness list.
“It’s probably a little viral thing. Hopefully it doesn’t develop into anything serious. Usually when something like this happens, a horse misses a couple weeks of training. He’s not seriously sick right now, but he’s showing indications that something is going on.”
Country House was declared the winner of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday after Maximum Security was disqualified for interference. The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission denied an appeal filed by attorney D. Barry Stilz on behalf of owners Gary and Mary West on Monday. After that ruling, Gary West told the Associated Press that he plans to “file suit in whatever the appropriate court is.”
Racing stewards disqualified Maximum Security and elevated Country House to the winner’s circle following objections filed by two jockeys. Stewards determined Maximum Security impeded the paths of several horses in the race.
Maximum Security is the first Derby winner disqualified for interference in the race’s 145-year history.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.