Vivid Photo No Go

Roger Hammer hoped to get a race under Vivid Photo’s belt before the start of the Classic Series at Dover Downs on April 9, but that will not be the case.

Vivid Photo was scheduled to make his first start of the year on Monday at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, but will miss the race because of a sore foot, Hammer said Friday afternoon after the horse underwent testing at the University of Pennsylvania.

“He’s got a gravel come up; he’s not bad, but I want to get it taken care of before the big races come up,” said Hammer, who trains, drives and co-owns Vivid Photo. “I’ll get him back home and try to get him ready for the 9th.”

Vivid Photo, the 2005 Hambletonian winner, won seven of 21 races last year, including the Trotting Classic final at Dover in November. He has won 27 of 52 career starts and earned $2.1 million.

He won qualifiers at the Meadows on March 20 and March 27, the latter in 1:56.4.

“It takes him a couple races to come back,” Hammer said. “He was just all right in his first qualifier, but the last time out, he had a lot of trot. He’s coming back good. As long as he stays healthy he should have a good year.” (USTA Release)

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