Preakness 2023: Shoulder issue takes Confidence Game out

HRN Staff
Photo: Ted McClenning / Eclipse Sportswire

Confidence Game, who finished 10th in the Kentucky Derby last Saturday, will not race in Preakness 2023. Trainer Keith Desormeaux made the decision Saturday morning after training.

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“He trained all right this morning. He’s just not 100 percent,” Desormeaux told the Maryland Jockey Club media staff. “He’s got something aggravating him in the right front shoulder area. We’re going to send him to Dr. (Larry) Bramlage (at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital) and let him do full diagnostics and let him advise us on how to proceed. He’s good, but he’s not Preakness perfect.”

Confidence Game won the Rebel (G2) at Oaklawn on Feb. 25 by a length over Red Route One. That victory in a 50-point prep was enough to seal Confidence Game's berth in the Kentucky Derby, and Desormeaux trained the son of Candy Ride in the ten weeks between the Rebel and the Run for the Roses instead of running him in a 100-point prep.

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