Fears have been expressed in the USA that China Visit could be forced to miss next month's Kentucky Derby. Godolphin's colt has been aimed at the Churchill Downs Classic since his impressive win in the UAE Derby at Nad Al Sheba in March.
But the Daily Racing Form has pointed out that he faces possible elimination from the first leg of the US 'triple crown' if, like last year, the race is oversubscribed.
The criteria for reducing the final field to the safety limit of 20 on May 6 is money won in graded stakes races - which China Visit has never contested.
And with less than three weeks to go it appears likely that eliminations could be needed, as a large number of three-year-olds remain under serious consideration for the 'Run For The Roses'.
Though impressive Wood Memorial winner Fusaichi Pegasus dominated the recently-closed local early-wagering ante-post book at final odds of 3-1, many of the Classic generation are apparently keen to take him on.
China Visit - 20-1 in the USA list but only 7-1 with William Hill - retains an entry in the Sagitta 2000 Guineas, for which he was made favourite after his Dubai success until it became clear he was being aimed at Kentucky.
