Kentucky Derby winner Country House has been pulled from the Preakness, ending his shot a the Triple Crown, because the horse has reportedly developed a bad cough.
“He developed a little bit of a cough this morning,” trainer Bill Mott said by telephone, according to the Daily Racing Form.
“His appetite is good. He doesn’t have a fever. But he’s coughing. We drew blood. He’s acting like he’s going to get sick. He’s off the training list, and if he’s off the training list he’s off the Preakness list.
“It’s probably a little viral thing,” Mott said. “Hopefully it doesn’t develop into anything serious. Usually when something like this happens a hors misses a couple weeks of training. He’s not seriously sick right now. But he’s showing indications that something is going on.”
Country House developed the illness after winning the Derby and has yet to leave Churchill Downs, according to Mott.