Pletcher on Mutasaabeq: 'He'll come back 100%'

Mutasaabeq is off the Kentucky Derby trail after sustaining a shin injury, but trainer Todd Pletcher told HRN Thursday that "he'll come back 100 percent."

"He came out of his last breeze with a minor shin injury, and he’s going to need some time off," Pletcher said. "So unfortunately it kind of knocks him out of the prep races leading up to the Derby. Hopefully we’ll see him back at Belmont or Saratoga. Just unfortunate timing."

The Into Mischief colt would have been the likely favorite in Saturday's Grade 3 Holy Bull at Gulfstream, a Derby prep race offering 10-4-2-1 points.

"We were excited about running him this weekend, but we’re going to have to wait," Pletcher said.

Mutasaabeq, a $425,000 Keeneland purchase in November 2018 for owner Shadwell Stable, was coming off an impressive win in the Mucho Macho Man on Jan. 2. That marked his return to dirt after two tries on turf: a win in the Bourbon (G2) at Keeneland in October followed by a 10th-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf.