Caravaggio (Scat Daddy)'s autumn campaign has been cast into doubt after trainer Aidan O'Brien revealed the star juvenile “tweaked a muscle” and could miss the G1 Middle Park S. Sept. 24.
“Caravaggio had a little bit of a setback about 10 days ago–he tweaked a muscle in his ribcage,” O'Brien explained. “He's fine now, but whether he'll make the Middle Park, we're not sure.”
O'Brien said a missed engagement in the Middle Park could mean the end of the season for the G1 Keeneland Phoenix S. and G2 Coventry S. winner.
“I imagine if Caravaggio doesn't make the Middle Park, he might not run again this year,” O'Brien said. “There's nothing much left for him. Originally we were thinking of going for the Middle Park and then maybe going on to the [GI] Breeders' Cup Juvenile on the dirt with him, but if he's not ready in time for the Middle Park he wouldn't do the rest. He'd probably finish off for the year if that was the case.”
O'Brien told At The Races regarding next year's prospects, “it would depend what the lads decide themselves. He's a very quick horse, but he's very relaxed and very clear-winded and he's a good mover, so those things altogether would help him to stay. If he came back next year without running any more [this season], I suppose you could start him in some of those seven-furlong races and you'd get a bit of a glimpse then, but he is very fast.”
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