There were some anxious moments for Yuji Inaida's GI Preakness S. runner France Go de Ina (Will Take Charge) at Pimlico Race Course Wednesday morning. The colt from Japan had just completed his four-furlong breeze when exercise rider Masaki Takano suddenly fell off the chestnut just after he passed the finish line.
Takano slowly got to his feet as France Go de Ina continued on before being apprehended by Pimlico outriders. Both Takano and the horse are fine, according to Kate Hunter, the Preakness field representative for the Japan Racing Association.
“[Takano] slipped a bit from the stirrup on the left side and lost his balance,” Hunter said. “The horse is fine.”
Trainer Hideyuki Mori was trackside and bolted towards the winner's circle, where Takano stood and waited for France Go de Ina to be retrieved and brought back. Takano then got back on board and was led by Yuri into the Pimlico paddock, where he took several laps in a schooling session.
After watching video of the incident, Mori was relieved that France Go de Ina did not stumble or take a bad step.
“It had nothing to do with the horse,” Mori said through Hunter, who serves as his interpreter. “He breezed well. Luckily, or unluckily, the rider fell off after the goal, just after the finish line, after he finished his workout.”
France Go de Ina, who finished sixth after a slow start in the G2 UAE Derby in Dubai after winning two of three starts in Japan, was timed in :49.40.
“We are just very happy that the horse is OK,” Mori said.
WATCH: France Go de Ina working Wednesday at Pimlico
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