If McKinzie looked to be missing a bit of closing kick in the stretch of the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap last weekend, he may be forgiven. Trainer Bob Baffert said the horse, who finished fifth as the favorite, came back to the barn missing two shoes.
McKinzie's right front and right rear shoes were missing, which left Baffert somewhat puzzled, as stepping on a front shoe with a hind foot would usually result in a loss of the front shoe alone. Jockey Mike Smith said he thought the Cinderella moment happened about 50 yards out from the gate. Baffert told the Paulick Report Tuesday the horse did not grab a quarter in the process, meaning he didn't seem to damage the flesh on the back of his front foot, but the separation of the front shoe did seem to take a small amount of hoof wall with it.
Despite running half-barefoot, McKinzie did make a closing effort in the stretch, but fell well short of front-running winner Vekoma.
Baffert told Wilkin there were no concrete plans for the horse's next start earlier this week, but he was considering the G1 Pacific Classic in late August at Del Mar. The 5-year-old won the G2 Triple Bend in June after a disappointing eleventh in the Saudi Cup.
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