Monkey Business

EVER SINCE he was auctioned to breeding-industry giant Coolmore Stud for a world-record $16 million in February 2006, the question has followed The Green Monkey: Was the modestly bred but impressive-in-workouts colt worth the money? Two starts into a much-anticipated career that was delayed by injuries, we have an answer: No. On Oct. 13 the 3-year-old, running as the even-money favorite, finished a dull fourth, eight lengths back, in a seven-furlong maiden race at Belmont Park. It was a massive step backward for the Monkey, who ran gamely at Belmont and finished third in a six-horse field in his debut last month.

Last week the Belmont crowd jeered the horse with chants of "The Green Donkey," and trainer Todd Pletcher must now decide what to do. The colt has shown only average speed and no aptitude for longer distances. A move to turf racing is possible; on Sunday the Monkey worked out on grass and ran four furlongs in an unimpressive 50.88 seconds. If that doesn't work out, The Green Monkey may become the world's costliest manure spreader.