Shanghai Bobby will not run in Kentucky Derby

Shanghai Bobby (right), who raced to victory in the Breeders' Cup, will not race in the Kentucky Derby, as ordered by trainer Todd Pletcher.

Jae C. Hong/AP

Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Shanghai Bobby won't run in next month's Kentucky Derby because his energy level isn't where trainer Todd Pletcher thinks it should be.

The colt finished fifth in the Florida Derby on March 30, and he appeared to come out of the race in good shape.

But Pletcher said Monday that Shanghai Bobby will be given time off to fully recover from last year's campaign, when the colt was undefeated as a 2-year-old.

The trainer says Shanghai Bobby will be sent to Payton Training Center in Florida for some vacation.

Jack Wolf, managing partner of the colt's owner Starlight Racing, says it's time to freshen up Shanghai Bobby and if all goes well, point him toward a late summer or early fall return to the races.