Report: Colloquial will cut back, pass up Triple Crown

Colloquial, who earned the fastest Beyer Speed Figure by a 3-year-old of the year last week, will not pursue the Triple Crown, Daily Racing Form reported.

The Vekoma colt earned a 106 Beyer from DRF for his seven-length win Friday going 6 1/2 furlongs at Aqueduct. It was his second career start and first since June, when he was beaten by a nose.

Trainer George Weaver told DRF that Colloquial will return to his base at Palm Beach Downs and that he plans to keep the colt in one-turn races for at least the first half of the year.

The Grade 1 Woody Stephens at Saratoga in June is a target, Weaver said, with possible starts in the Lafayette or Bay Shore in April. He ruled out the Gotham (G3) on March 1 because it is too soon., according to the report.

"Anytime a horse runs that fast those numbers make him a serious contender in any race,” Weaver told DRF. "Now he’s got to do it in a big race.”