Shrinking Fields
Lost in the Fog will face a little less competition next Saturday. The Breeders’ Cup Sprint lost two starters this weekend: High Fly is out with a condylar fracture, as is Roman Ruler owing to a developing foot problem. “It’s not a quarter crack, but something is brewing in his heel,” said Baffert (Blood-Horse). Roman Ruler was plagued with quarter cracks last spring, which kept the colt out of the Triple Crown races.
Other recent withdrawals from next week’s races include Spinster Stakes winner Pampered Princess from the Distaff and Motivator from the Turf. The English Derby winner was retired after returning from a workout lame. Graham Motion, trainer of last year’s Turf winner, Better Talk Now, found a silver lining in that news: Motivator’s absence means Better Talk Now’s rabbit, Shake the Bank, can start. “Much as I hate to see one come out, this really helps our cause,” said Motion (Guardian).
