Lord Nelson scratched from Breeders' Cup Sprint

ARCADIA, Calif. - Lord Nelson, the 5-2 morning-line second choice, had to be scratched from Saturday’s $1.5 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint after having to be treated for an infection in his right foreleg, his connections announced Thursday.

Trainer Bob Baffert said Lord Nelson nicked himself in either a recent workout or in his stall. Baffert said a little irritation developed into an infection.

“We thought we had it under control, but today it was really blown up and we had to put him on antibiotics,” Baffert said Thursday. “It’s a shame because he was doing so well. He’ll be all right in five days.”

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Lord Nelson, a son of Pulpit, is owned by Spendthrift Farm, which is where the horse will stand stud next year.

Lord Nelson, a 4-year-old son of Pulpit, was undefeated in four starts this year, including Grade 1 victories in the Triple Bend, Bing Crosby and Santa Anita Sprint Championship.

“It’s really disheartening," Baffert said. "There’s a championship on the line. He was doing so well. One thing about the Breeders’ Cup, we’re always on pins and needles. I never had that happen to a horse this close to a race. It was very disappointing for all the connections because we knew we had something special there.”

Lord Nelson is the second horse to be scratched from the Sprint. Joking, the Grade 1 Vosburgh winner, was scratched Wednesday due to an illness. The Sprint field is now down to seven horses.