The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile lost its 3-1 morning-line favorite Friday when Sky Mesa was removed from Saturday’s $1,070,000 race because of an injury to his right front ankle.
“There was some swelling just above the ankle joint and he was sore,” said Larry Bramlage, on-call veterinarian of the American Association of Equine Practitioners. “The X-rays came back negative. We’ll get him back to the clinic in Lexington (Ky.) next week and do a digital bone scan.”
Donna Ward, wife of and assistant to trainer John Ward, did not know how the injury occurred. “Who knows where it happened?” she said. “The groom said he left at 10:30, and the colt was moving around fine. When the groom called this morning he said it looked like the colt was tender in the stall.”
With Sky Limit out of the 1 1/8-mile race, the 4-1 second choice on the original morning line, Vindication, inherits the role of projected favorite.
Like old times: Back on the track that introduced him to racing, War Emblem, the 3-1 favorite in the $4 million Classic, galloped 1 1/8 miles Friday.
War Emblem and his six traveling companions from trainer Bob Baffert’s California-based stable are in Arlington Barn 1A, next door to Barn 1, where his former trainer, Frank Springer, has his horses.
“If he throws Victor Espinoza, at least he’ll remember how to get back to the barn,” Baffert quipped.
War Emblem threw jockey Alfredo Juarez Jr. before what was scheduled to be the first race of his career in September 2001 and had to be scratched.
Making no secret of Saturday’s plan, Baffert said: “He’s a very fast horse and he likes to lead. I told Victor no matter how you break, send him out there and see what happens.”
Subplot: Ireland’s Coolmore Stud has sent perhaps the most powerful European contingent in the 19-year history of the Breeders’ Cup to contest four of the eight races.
Heading the seven-horse Coolmore contingent are High Chaparral, 8-5 morning-line favorite in the $2,420,000 Turf, and Rock of Gibraltar, listed at even money in the $1,070,000 Mile. Coolmore’s other representatives are: Hawk Wing, 5-1 in the Classic; Landseer, 8-1 in the Mile, and Hold That Tiger (12-1), Van Nistelrooy (15-1) and Tomahawk (15-1) in the Juvenile.
Co-owned by Sir Alex Ferguson, manager of England’s Manchester United soccer team, Rock of Gibraltar has won a world-record seven consecutive Group I races while competing in England, France and Ireland.
The 3-year-old High Chaparral had his winning streak ended at six races when he finished a close third last time out in Europe’s premier race, the Arc de Triomphe.
19 straight: D. Wayne Lukas is the only trainer who has been represented in every Breeders’ Cup since the event’s inception in 1984 at Hollywood Park.
Lukas, who has a record 16 triumphs, will saddle two horses Saturday, both in the $1,140,000 Sprint: Orientate, the favorite at 5-2, and Day Trader, a 20-1 long shot. That will give him a total of 137 Breeders’ Cup starters.
Record breaker: Overshadowed by the Breeders’ Cup ballyhoo was a victory by Nicholas Cal, the 63rd of the meeting for trainer Wayne Catalano, enabling him to break the record set by Noel Hickey in 1991.
How Tribune Newspapers handicappers see it
REPORTER, PAPER
Neil Milbert, Tribune
DISTAFF
1 1/8 miles
Azeri
Imperial Gesture
Summer Colony
JUVENILE FILLIES
1 1/16 miles
Santa Catarina
Storm Flag Flying
Composure
MILE
1 mile
Rock of Gilbratar
Beat Hollow
Landseer
SPRINT
6 furlongs
Orientate
Xtra Heat
Disturbngthpeace
FILLY & MARE
1 1/4 miles
Golden Apples
Banks Hill
Islington
JUVENILE
1 1/8 miles
Vindication
Whywhywhy
Van Nistelrooy
TURF
1 1/2 miles
High Chaparral
Golan
Ballingarry
CLASSIC
1 1/2 miles
Hawk Wing
War Emblem
Evening Attire
Dave Surico, Tribune
DISTAFF
1 1/8 miles
Imperial Gesture
Take Charge Lady
Azeri
JUVENILE FILLIES
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1 1/16 miles
Storm Flag Flying
Santa Catarina
Composure
MILE
1 mile
Rock of Gilbratar
Beat Hollow
Forbidden Apple
SPRINT
6 furlongs
Swept Overboard
Bonapaw
Xtra Heat
FILLY & MARE
1 1/4 miles
Islington
Banks Hill
Kazzia
JUVENILE
1 1/8 miles
Vindication
Whywhywhy
Hold That Tiger
TURF
1 1/2 miles
Golan
High Chaparral
Ballingarry
CLASSIC
1 1/2 miles
Hawk Wing
Evening Attire
Came Home
Dave Joseph, Ft. Laud. Sun-Sentinel
DISTAFF
1 1/8 miles
Azeri
Imperial Gesture
Farda Amiga
JUVENILE FILLIES
1 1/16 miles
Storm Flag Flying
Composure
Appleby Gardens
MILE
1 mile
Rock of Gibraltar
Forbidden Apple
Beat Hollow
SPRINT
6 furlongs
Kalookan Queen
Orientate
Kona Gold
FILLY & MARE
1 1/4 miles
Islington
Golden Apples
Banks Hill
JUVENILE
1 1/8 miles
Whywhywhy
Tomahawk
Hold That Tiger
TURF
1 1/2 miles
High Chaparral
Golan
Ballingarry
CLASSIC
1 1/2 miles
Hawk Wing
Evening Attire
Came Home
Paul Moran, Newsday
DISTAFF
1 1/8 miles
Imperial Gesture
Take Charge Lady
Farda Amiga
JUVENILE FILLIES
1 1/16 miles
Storm Flag Flying
Santa Catarina
Composure
MILE
1 mile
Rock of Gibraltar
Beat Hollow
Good Journey
SPRINT
6 furlongs
Bonapaw
Orientate
Xtra Heat
FILLY & MARE
1 1/4 miles
Banks Hill
Islington
Riskaverse
JUVENILE
1 1/8 miles
Whywhywhy
Hold That Tiger
Van Nistelrooy
TURF
1 1/2 miles
High Chaparral
Golan
Ballingarry
CLASSIC
1 1/2 miles
Hawk Wing
Evening Attire
Medaglia d’Oro
Bob Mieszerski, L.A. Times
DISTAFF
1 1/8 miles
Azeri
Farda Amiga
Take Charge Lady
JUVENILE FILLIES
1 1/16 miles
Storm Flag Flying
Composure
Santa Catarina
MILE
1 mile
Rock of Gibraltar
Good Journey
Beat Hollow
SPRINT
6 furlongs
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Swept Overboard
Orientate
Kona Gold
FILLY & MARE
1 1/4 miles
Golden Apples
Banks Hill
Islington
JUVENILE
1 1/8 miles
Vindication
Tomahawk
Hold That Tiger
TURF
1 1/2 miles
High Chaparral
Golan
Ballingarry
CLASSIC
1 1/2 miles
Evening Attire
Medaglia d’Oro
Came Home
Consensus
DISTAFF
1 1/8 miles
Azeri
Imperial Gesture
Take Charge Lady
JUVENILE FILLIES
1 1/16 miles
Storm Flag Flying
Santa Catarina
Composure
MILE
1 mile
Rock of Gibraltar
Beat Hollow
Good Journey/Forbidden Apple
SPRINT
6 furlongs
Orientate
Swept Overboard
Bonapaw
FILLY & MARE
1 1/4 miles
Islington
Banks Hill
Golden Apples
JUVENILE
1 1/8 miles
Whywhywhy
Vindication
Tomahawk/Hold That Tiger
TURF
1 1/2 miles
High Chaparral
Golan
Ballingarry
CLASSIC
1 1/2 miles
Hawk Wing
Evening Attire
Medaglia d’Oro
Note: Consensus picks are chosen on a point total of 5 for first, 3 for second and 1 for third.
Dave Surico’s graded handicap
$2 million Distaff
1 1/8 miles, 3-year-old and up, fillies and mares, post time: 12:20 p.m.
PP HORSE & JOCKEY COMMENT ODDS
5 L-Imperial Gesture, Bailey Likely pace, distance tuff 5-2
8 L-Take Charge Lady, Prado Razor sharp, major player 3-1
4 L-Azeri, Smith Speedster a win machine 7-5
6 L-Mandy’s Gold, Santos 1st 2-turn run, 100 % in $ 15-1
2 L-Summer Colony, Velazquez Threat’s sure capable 8-1
3 L-Farda Amiga, Day Price may run ’em down 10-1
1 L-Two Item Limit, Douglas Form return? Race 3rd ’01 50-1
7 L-Starrer, Valenzuela Bullet work, shared for boy 40-1
$1 million Grade I Juvenile Fillies
1 1/8 miles, 2-year-old fillies, post time: 12:55 p.m.
4 L-Storm Flag Flying, Velazquez Won w/ plenty in reserve 4-5
1 L-Santa Catarina, Bailey Barn likes her, rail’s big 7-2
3 L-Composure, Smith Stalking spot gives shot 6-1
6 L-Ruby’s Reception, Thompson Consistent stalker belongs 15-1
11 L-Appleby Gardens, Migliore Distance not a problem 30-1
10 L-Westerly Breeze, Albarado Upset winner must break 15-1
5 L-Humorous Lady, Solis Bargain buy can fly 30-1
8 L-Buffythecenterfold, MGarcia Upset speed is consistent 15-1
9 L-Atlantic Ocean, Espinoza Post is no help to her 15-1
7 L-Sea Jewel, Valenzuela Only to sneak a share 25-1
2 L-Ivanavinalot, Cruz Will scratch, ill x-x
$1.07 million Grade I Mile
Mile (turf), 3-year-old and up, post time: 1:35 p.m.
10 L-Rock Of Gibraltar, Kinane Europe’s best, 1st Lasix 1-1
2 L-Beat Hollow, Bailey Million winner gets rail 5-1
1 L-Forbidden Apple, Nakatani Tries hard every time 10-1
5 L-Domedriver, Thulliez Razor sharp for this 12-1
11 L-Touch Of The Blues, Desormeaux Beware the rusher 15-1
7 L-Aldebaran, Chavez Barn says watch out 25-1
12 L-Dress To Thrill, Smullen Like price, 1st Lasix 30-1
9 L-Boston Common, Douglas Try to catch me 50-1
3 L-Medecis, Solis Faced Europe’s toughies 15-1
13 L-Landseer, Prado Post may hinder him 12-1
4 L-Good Journey, Day Comes in on a roll 10-1
6 L-Green Fee, Velasquez Consistent, sneaks share? 50-1
8 L-Del Mar Show, Valenzuela Toss out his last? 25-1
14 L-Nuclear Debate, Stevens Might sneak a piece 40-1
$1.14 million Grade I Sprint
6 furlongs, 3-year-old and up, post time: 2:10 p.m.
12 L-Swept Overboard, Nakatani Kick may catch em 6-1
8 L-Bonapaw, GMelancon Looks real, loves oval 6-1
6 L-Xtra Heat, Vega ’01 runner-up rates 5-1
2 L-Kalookan Queen, Smith Threat post a plus 8-1
10 L-Orientate, Bailey The one to beat 2-1
5 L-Touch Tone, Chavez Beware the sleeper 20-1
3 L-Disturbingthepeace, Espinosa Big roll, toughest test 10-1
1 L-Thunderello, Prado Try to catch me 50-1
4 L-Carson Hollow, Velazquez Fast filly, upset speed 20-1
9 L-Kona Gold, Solis Old boy the upsetter 12-1
11 L-Crafty C. T., Valenzuela Very dangerous speed 15-1
13 L-Day Trader, Day Post may compromise 25-1
7 L-Wake At Noon, Ramsammy Doubt in this kind 50-1
$1.28 million Grade I Filly and Mare Turf
1 1/4 miles (turf), 3-year-old and up, post time: 2:45 p.m.
2 Islington, Fallon Game 5th in the Arc 9-2
5 L-Banks Hill, Bailey 1st Lasix, wants it firmer? 3-1
12 L-Kazzia, Chavez She loves to win 5-1
6 L-Golden Apples, Valenzuela Top of America’s class 5-2
7 L-Gossamer, Spencer Has credentials, 1st Lasix 15-1
3 Turtle Bow, Soumillon Major excuse in last 15-1
11 L-Starine, Velazquez Likes soft, post hurts? 12-1
8 L-Zenda, Hughes Fits in longest test 12-1
9 L-Chopinina, Ramsammy Try to catch me 50-1
4 L-Dublino, Desormeaux Lightly raced, but tough 12-1
1 L-Riskaverse, Guidry Sharp at right time 15-1
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10 L-Owsley, Prado Hasn’t met this kind 50-1
$1.07 million Grade I Juvenile
1 1/8 miles, 2-year-olds, post time: 3:20 p.m.
6 L-Vindication, Smith Unbeaten, nod in toughie 3-1
1 L-Whywhywhy, Day Has shot, stalks from rail 4-1
3 L-Hold That Tiger, Fallon Eye-popping Euro win 12-1
2 L-Kafwain, Espinosa A definite threat 6-1
4 L-Listen Indy, Solis Dist. Bred, surprise shot 20-1
10 L-Zavata, Stevens Bettors pounded, 1st Lasix 6-1
7 L-Van Nistelrooy, Velazquez 1st Lasix, nice price 20-1
5 L-Bull Market, Bailey Try to catch me 8-1
13 L-Wando, Migliore 3-3 on dirt, last sharp 12-1
8 L-Lone Star Sky, Guidry Puts blinkers on 25-1
11 L-Tomahawk, Kinane O’Brien again, 1st Lasix 20-1
12 L-Most Feared, Valenzuela Sleeper, only AP exp. 50-1
14 L-Toccet, Chavez On roll, post may hurt 10-1
9 L-Sky Mesa, Prado Will scratch, ankle injury x-x
$2.42 million Grade I Turf
1 1/2 miles, 3-year-old and up, post time: 3:55 p.m.
4 L-Golan, Fallon Pointed to this, 1st Lasix 5-2
5 L-High Chaparral, Kinane The one to beat 8-5
2 L-Ballingarry, Desormeaux Consistent, best of rest? 5-1
1 L-Denon, Prado Threat from rail 5-1
3 L-Falcon Flight, Valenzuela Fooler, excuse last 4 12-1
6 L-Perfect Soul, Velazquez Might sneak up late 50-1
8 L-The Tin Man, Smith Try to catch me 15-1
7 L-With Anticipation, Day Old boy in hunt 8-1
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