HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. -- Sky Mesa, unraced since winning the Lane's End Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland last October, has missed two days of training with a bruised right front heel, something his connections term a minor setback in the colt's bid to rejoin the Triple Crown trail.

Trainer John Ward said Sky Mesa came out of a strong five-furlong workout at Gulfstream Park Feb. 18 in good shape, and most likely bruised the heel by "over-galloping" when he returned to training at Palm Beach Downs.

"This was the reason I haven't made any decrees on where we're going with him, because these things happen trying to bring horses back off layoffs," Ward said Tuesday morning from his Palm Beach Downs base. "They get aggressive. We're just on the sidelines a couple of days. It makes us adjust a little bit, but I had seven days to play with, and I figure I've eaten up two of those seven.

"It doesn't concern me a lot, because I'm at a certain fitness level with him, having already worked him five-eighths and galloped out three-quarters," Ward continued. "A little short day or two of rest shouldn't hurt."

The break might reach three or four days, as Ward said forecasted rains in the Palm Beach area for Tuesday night and Wednesday morning will most likely postpone Sky Mesa's return to the track until Friday. Ward remains hopeful he can get two preps into Sky Mesa before the Kentucky Derby.

As a 2-year-old, Sky Mesa went 3 for 3, including a victory in the Grade 1 Hopeful at Saratoga and the Grade 2 Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland. He was entered to run in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, but was withdrawn because of a wrenched ankle.

Meanwhile, Ward said that Perfect Story, who was a well-beaten fourth in Sunday's Davona Dale Stakes, came out of her race in good order. Ward felt that Perfect Story, who was making her third start of the meet, was compromised by dueling with pacesetter Ivanavinalot down the backside.

"Maybe we kind of challenged the lead horse a little too much during the race," he said. "We'll adjust her style. I think she wants to relax a little more now."

Ward said he still planned on running Perfect Story in the Grade 1 Ashland at Keeneland on April 5.

Ward also said that Hero's Tribute, a bang-up second behind Harlan's Holiday in Saturday's Donn Handicap, came out of his race well and may be pointed to the Gulfstream Park Handicap on March 29.

"I think we'll wait about two weeks to decide and see where everybody else is going," he said.