Trainer, Vet Disagree on King Glorious’ Injury

With the Kentucky Derby becoming a remote possibility for undefeated King Glorious, it appears that the 3-year-old colt’s trainer and veterinarian differ on the seriousness of his knee injury.

Jack Robbins, one of three veterinarians who treat King Glorious, told the Daily Racing Form this week that the horse might need an additional 90 days to rest a strained right knee that has already restricted him to light training for the last month. Robbins said that the Kentucky Derby, on May 6, is not in the plans for King Glorious.

Reached at his barn at Golden Gate Fields Wednesday morning, trainer Jerry Hollendorfer was unaware of Robbins’ published remarks.

“I don’t see how he could say that,” said Hollendorfer, a veteran trainer who has his first important horse. “He hasn’t seen the horse for a month.”

Later Wednesday, Robbins, who is based in Los Angeles, flew to San Francisco, examined King Glorious and also looked at X-rays of the horse’s knee.

Robbins couldn’t be reached for comment, but Hollendorfer said: “The X-rays show a noticeable improvement in the problem area. We’ll give the horse another 30 days of alternate walking and jogging and go from there. I’m still hoping to run him at this meeting (which is highlighted by the California Derby on April 22).”

“The horse has been doing great,” Hollendorfer said early Wednesday, before he had seen the X-rays. “He’s a lot better than he was a month ago. There’s no filling (swelling) and the knee has been cold every day.”