Derby, Preakness runner-up Bodemeister has fever, won’t run in Haskell

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

NEW YORK — Kentucky Derby and Preakness runner-up Bodemeister has a fever, and trainer Bob Baffert says the colt won’t run in the Haskell Invitational in two weeks.

Baffert posted on Twitter on Sunday that Bodemeister will miss the $1 million race at New Jersey’s Monmouth Park “due to temperature” Saturday.

Bodemeister would likely have been the favourite. Last week, Belmont Stakes winner Union Rags was declared out of the Haskell with a tendon injury.

Justin Zayat, racing manager for owner Zayat Stables, says on Twitter the colt is being treated with antibiotics and will return to the track this week. Zayat adds that Belmont runner-up Paynter, also trained by Baffert, is probable for the Haskell.

Other possible starters for the July 29 Haskell include Dullahan, Gemologist, Neck ’N Neck, My Adonis, Unstoppable U and Le Bernardin.

13:45ET 15-07-12