The speculation about Saratoga Springs challenging for the Kentucky Derby on Saturday week was ended yesterday when it was confirmed the Aidan O'Brien trained colt would not travel to America.
Saratoga Springs missed out on Leopardstown last Sunday because of the soft ground and a Ballydoyle spokesman said yesterday: "We've decided not to send Saratoga Springs for the Kentucky Derby. He is fine but the American option has been shelved."
The colt could now go for either the Derrinstown Derby Trial at Leopardstown on May 10th or the Irish 2,000 Guineas two weeks later.
The latter is also an aim for the Grand Criterium winner Second Empire who is set to reappear in the Curragh's Tetrarch Stakes on Saturday week after pleasing O'Brien in his work yesterday.
"Second Empire went nicely. The plan is the Tetrarch and then all going well the Irish 2,000 Guineas followed by the Epsom Derby," said O'Brien, who won last year's Group 3 Tetrarch with Desert King.
On Derrinstown day at Leopardstown, the Doyle Hotel Group will sponsor five races. In an announcement yesterday, the Group agreed the sponsorship until the year 2,000.
Prospects for the Whitbread Gold Cup meeting at Sandown dues to start on Friday have improved today, revealed clerk of the course Andrew Cooper.
"Sandown has enjoyed another dry day today after it was dry on Monday," he reported.
"Conditions have generally improved but our biggest problem area would be the five-furlong track, which in places is very, very soft and some of the ground is false."
