This came from an article in today's DRF:
Irish War Cry, who faded badly to finish seventh as the favorite while suffering the first loss of his career, “certainly seems fine” trainer Graham Motion said Sunday morning at Palm Meadows.
Motion said in hindsight he believes Irish War Cry regressed off his big effort in winning the Holy Bull four weeks earlier. He said he also wishes he’d have instructed jockey Joel Rosario to “take a hold.”
“I was worried he might bounce coming off a big number, but I couldn’t see sitting on him for two months and he had trained so well,” Motion said. “I wish he had settled. You’ve got to learn to settle if you’re going to compete in these races, especially as the distances increase.”
Motion said “we’re going to have to regroup.” He said a final Kentucky Derby prep would not be determined for a bit yet, but that he was inclined to wait five weeks to run back, which makes the Wood Memorial and Blue Grass the likeliest possibilities.
“My disappointment is we really didn’t learn anything,” Motion said. “I’ll keep him here for two weeks and then decide what to do. Right now, five weeks looks more favorable than running back again in four weeks.
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