It’s End of Racing Road for War Chant

A full field is expected for Sunday’s $500,000 Early Times Hollywood Derby, but War Chant won’t be among the participating 3-year-olds.

Owner-breeder Irving Cowan confirmed Wednesday that the Breeders’ Cup Mile winner, whose retirement was announced last week, will not make a final start in the Derby.

War Chant, son of Danzig out of the champion mare Hollywood Wildcat, had worked seven furlongs on the Hollywood Park turf course Sunday prepping for a possible start this weekend, but after a discussion with trainer Neil Drysdale, Cowan and wife Marjorie decided not to go in the Derby.

“The horse isn’t ready to run,” he said. “He hadn’t bounced back as quickly from the Breeders’ Cup [Nov. 4] as quickly as we had hoped.

“My wife and I really agonized what seemed like an eternity over whether to keep him in training or not. But there comes a time when economics come into play and dictate the decision. He has a beautiful pedigree and the demand for him was great.”

War Chant, who will command a $75,000 stud fee at Three Chimneys Farm in Kentucky next year, finished his career with five victories in seven starts and earned $1,130,600. He was two for two on the turf, winning the Oak Tree Breeders’ Cup Mile before capturing the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Churchill Downs.