By Joe Bianca
WinStar Farm, China Horse Club International and SF Racing's graded stakes-winning 'TDN Rising Star' Quip (Distorted Humor) will pass on taking a shot at the May 5 GI Kentucky Derby off of three weeks' rest and will instead point for a run in the GI Preakness S. two weeks later, trainer Rodolphe Brisset confirmed Monday. The story was first reported by Daily Racing Form.
“I kind of made my mind up [Sunday],” Brisset told TDN. “I had a meeting with all the partners last Monday and we were giving ourselves until the end of the week before making any decision. We just feel like the three weeks may be a little too short after running his heart out at Oaklawn. The trip and the race took something out of him. It wasn't, but it was, an easy decision. It wasn't because of course as a young trainer, you want to run in the Derby, but it was an easy decision because it's the horse first.”
Capturing his first two starts before running seventh in the GII Kentucky Jockey Club S., the WinStar homebred pulled a 19-1 upset in the GII Tampa Bay Derby in his 3-year-old debut Mar. 10. He followed that up with a second-place run in the GI Arkansas Derby Apr. 14, assuring himself a spot in the Louisville starting gate should his connections choose. Instead, they will go with the potent one-two punch of undefeated 'Rising Star' Justify (Scat Daddy) and GI Florida Derby hero Audible (Into Mischief). WinStar is also part-owner in GII Louisiana Derby winner Noble Indy (Take Charge Indy) alongside Repole Stable.
“The fact that the ownership has a couple of other horses in the race makes it easier to pass,” Brisset said. “We're pointing for the Preakness and will have a fresh horse. It doesn't matter what happens in the Derby, we will be running.”
The defection of Quip elevates Winchell Thoroughbreds and Willis Horton Racing's Combatant (Scat Daddy) into the field. The bay has mostly been a bridesmaid so far, running second in the GIII Southwest S., Smarty Jones S. and Remington Springboard Mile S., third in the GII Rebel S. and fourth in the Arkansas Derby.
Brisset also told TDN that his highly-regarded 'Rising Star' Talk Veuve to Me (Violence), who breezed five furlongs in 1:00 1/5 (2/5) Sunday at Keeneland, is pointing for a start on the May 4 GI Kentucky Oaks undercard.
“She worked very good [Sunday],” the French-born trainer said. “That was our serious work. We are looking at two different options on Oaks day. It could be an allowance or it could be the [GII] Eight Belles. Likely leaning toward the allowance.”
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