CHAMPION INJURED MISSES 
THE DERBY


By Sarah Whitelaw
07 February 2003


Last year’s Breeders Cup Juvenile winner and champion two year old, Vindication, has been injured and will miss the Kentucky Derby. At the time the son of Seattle Slew was the hot favourite.  

A $2.1 million yearling, Vindication was found to have some inflammation in his left front suspensory joint.  

Unbeaten in four starts, Vindcation is unbeaten in four starts. Trainer Bob Baffert said everyone was devastated but the colt would now be aimed at the Travers and Breeders Cup later in the year.  

The colt, whose previous graded win came in the Kentucky Cup Juvenile, is out of the graded winner Strawberry Reason, a daughter of Strawberry Road.  

Vindication, raced by Padua Stables, was earlier syndicated for stud by Hill ‘n Dale where he will stand at the end of his career alongside the likes of Theatrical, Jade Hunter, Buddha and El Corredor.  

The unfortunate timing of the injury coincides with Kafwain, a colt Vindication thrashed in the Breeders Cup Juvenile, outclassing the San Vincente field to win in easy fashion.  

Vindication’s defection means the champion two year’s inability to win the Kentucky Derby continues. The last two year old champion to win the “Run for the Roses” was Spectacular Bid in 1979. No Breeders Cup Juvenile winner has ever won the Derby.