09/19/2012 11:17AM

Rolling Fog to miss Breeders' Cup Juvenile with shin problem

By Brad Free
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Shigeki Kikkawa
Rolling Fog, here winning the Del Mar Futurity, is expected to return for the winter meet at Santa Anita.

POMONA, Calif. – Del Mar Futurity winner Rolling Fog will miss the autumn season, including the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, with bucked shins and is not expected to return until the winter meet at Santa Anita that begins on Dec. 26.

Rolling Fog, owned by Arnold Zetcher, gave trainer Bob Baffert his record 11th Futurity victory on Sept. 5. The 2-year-old colt was expected to stretch to two turns Sept. 29 in the Grade 1, 1 1/16-mile FrontRunner for 2-year-olds (formerly the Norfolk Stakes) until the setback.

“I’m going to stop on him,” Baffert said Wednesday from Santa Anita.

“He has shins. He needs 60 days off.”

Rolling Fog, 2 for 2, was ridden at Del Mar by Rafael Bejarano, whose Futurity victory gave him a record 13 stakes wins at the meet.

Although Grade 1 winner Rolling Fog is out, Baffert will have at least one starter in the FrontRunner. Carving, who followed his $80,000 maiden-claiming debut victory with a decisive victory Sept. 12 in the $50,000 C.B. Afflerbaugh at Fairplex Park, will stretch out for the FrontRunner.

Carving is owned by skier Bode Miller and Baffert’s wife, Jill. A son of Any Given Saturday, Carving earned an 83 Beyer winning the Afflerbaugh.

Susan Huart More than 1 year ago
Wow! Another Baffert contender out of the running. Jeez! How much bad karma can a guy or his horses have. On another note, any news on Paynter?
tom More than 1 year ago
he's by posse better off saving him for the kings bishop. no need for the triple crown.
Thomas Cook More than 1 year ago
Bob's year of shame... Bodemeister- retired from injury, Paynter- almost euthanized due to poor handling, Richard's Kid- transferred to O'NEIL, Rolling Fog- couldn't make it to The Juvenile due to injury, Game On Dude- lost to Dullahan who couldn't beat Paynter or Bode, Contested-crushed in The Mother Goose. Keep up the good work.
Big Jeff More than 1 year ago
Waaaaaaaaa....waaaaaaaaaa:(
Thomas Cook More than 1 year ago
I'm not the one crying here Jeff. Bob's stable is quickly dwindling to nothing with The Breeders Cup in his back yard. Must be embarrassing losing so many top prospects. At this rate he may just be a spectator. It's funny how you, BB, and Ginger jump all over little insignificant me. But NO horse in my care as a trainer or assistant has ever wound up lame or on deaths door. Maybe to some making millions while destroying quality stock is acceptable, but I rather do for the horse. Thanks.
chad mc rory More than 1 year ago
Hey Tom, Even I gotta cut Baffert some slack here... if it IS just bucked shins. We all been there.
U R A Yahoo Loser More than 1 year ago
Comparing yourself to Baffert is like a goat turd sitting next to a gold bar and saying "hey, we're both nuggets, right?"
Thomas Cook More than 1 year ago
Funny. Why you call Baffert a turd.
akhiym james More than 1 year ago
This is typical. A contender always has to get hurt before the big race. Probably wont be the last one to get hurt. Its sad that all theses horses keep getting hurt and a lot are comming from Baffert. I've met him personally and he's an ok guy but I don't understand why his horses keep getting hurt so much. Pletcher too.
Patricia Doyle More than 1 year ago
Maybe someone can enlighten me, why are these young horses breaking down? Just read about Spurious Precision being euthanized. Is it breeding? Is it track surfacing? or is it training, as mentioned below over-training? I cannot help but wonder how long it will be before Animal Kingdom on his soon to be return AGAIN will breakdown again. If things keep going this way either claimers might become eligible for the Kentucky Derby, or we just bring the old 9 year olds out of retirement to run for the roses. Looks like the over hundred thousands of dollar 2 and 3 year olds aren't going to make it.
Anonymous More than 1 year ago
too much too soon I think. We put way too much into 2 and 3 year old races. MOST Horses of the Year don't run as 2 year olds and/or don't run in the Triple Crown races. The changes Churchill made to get into the Derby are a start because it puts less emphasis on 2 year old races and more on races closer to the Derby. Now trainers can wait longer if their horse isn't ready. Changes need to be made to the Triple Crown races too so we can see a few of them run after it instead of them having to retire. More emphasis should be placed on older horses at theeir peak. Hardly any thoroughbreds are as good as they're going to be the first Saturday in May.
JoyJackson21 More than 1 year ago
I'm sorry to hear Rolling Fog has an injury. I hope he has a healing and restful 60 day hiatus and comes back stronger and more talented than ever. I think Rolling Fog will be brought back to race early next year in time to gear up for some of the Derby prep races. It's not the first time a 2 year old has had to recover around this time of year from an injury, and they came back refreshed and running well. I hope it's the same for Rolling Fog.
Amy Hurley More than 1 year ago
Yes, My Miss Aurelia had a similar injury and came back just fine. Good decision to stop on Rolling Fog. Good luck to R.F., the Zetchers, and Baffert - this one looks like a potential star.
Susan Huart More than 1 year ago
As always, the voice of reason and peace. Thank you, Joyeaux!
Thomas Cook More than 1 year ago
Bucked shins or splints are very common when you rush a horse to the races. It's mother natures way of saying you are over training a young colt. Still better than a fever.
Big Jeff More than 1 year ago
See you post alot,and always with matter of fact info. Yet I never see your name in any programs....Hmmmm
Thomas Cook More than 1 year ago
Like being behind the scenes Jeff. That way I can help the animals and not tell off some arrogant owners. I have seen too many nice horses or prospects get ruined by greed and mishandling. This way my conscience stays clear and I can sleep better. But if you must know, I stopped training and chasing money I made for folks about 10 years ago to be around better graded stock with a weekly paycheck. It wasn't fun being the young guy who got walked on by knuckleheads.
BB More than 1 year ago
go to the equibase site and search Cook under trainers, scroll down and you will find Thomas in all his glory
Thomas Cook More than 1 year ago
Then go do some more research and find out not one of my horses was ever on any vets list. I never got a bad test. MY owners all made money. And the guy I now work for has one several graded stakes with again no bad tests or fevers from strange methods. Thanks for the photo op BB!
Big Jeff More than 1 year ago
Out of all 111? Probably should layoff qouting the stats.
Thomas Cook More than 1 year ago
Any time you need advice just ask okay.. sorry I don't ruin such large numbers of good stock.
Big Jeff More than 1 year ago
Thank you BB...That is priceless.
Thomas Cook More than 1 year ago
111 starts in three years 1999-2001 while finishing college at Tufts University. Keeping horses sound. while working nights at logan airport. Then moving to NY as assisant trainer for Breeders Cup winning horseman. I'm not at all embarrassed at where I started, how I have developed, or the care I take with these animals. You try doing it the right way without billions behind you. Then judge. I am proud of what I have accomplished and how it was done. I don't break down horses as tax right-off and or insurance claims. Elitists chasing fame can do that just fine.
Anonymous More than 1 year ago
very obvious you have a bone to pick with Baffert. You dis him every chance you get. I'm sensing a little jealousy.
Thomas Cook More than 1 year ago
I have a bone to pick with any person who glorifies themself over the horses that make them famous. Or any person who doesn't act as a positive ambassador for the sport when given a chance to do so. Baffert doesn't back up his riders, takes credit for stuff that anybody could do, doesn't praise his staff EVER. Even though they are the ones doing all the work. Thats's not class. It's arrogance.
Ginger Buttrey More than 1 year ago
I hear Bob Baffert praise his staff very OFTEN, both in person and in the national media. You can't argue that when millions of others have read and heard it.
Ginger Buttrey More than 1 year ago
Dang it I wish there was a delete post button. I don't know why I let trolls bait me. Personal vow: never again!!!
Thomas Cook More than 1 year ago
As Bob's Sister in law I respect your loyalty.. however biased and false your comments are. It's funny how you all are paying attention to an assistant trainer. I must have some truth to my comments or folks might not care to comment. Thanks for validating my points Ms. Buttrey, BB, and Big Jeff.
Horse Cents More than 1 year ago
Millions of others have heard him praise his staff OFTEN? No one gets more sound bites than bobby. I have never heard that in any of his sound bites and for a guy who shows up in the morning long after the training is done you would think you would hear it more OFTEN. I'm sure he pays them very well so they don't complain. Frankly, I don't care if he does or doesn't, it's just who he is. I'm guessing you will tell bobby all about this and next time he ships across the country and wins, we'll hear all about praise for his staff and you will say told you so. Ha. How's Paynter doing Ginger? Don't worry, bobby wll pin fire and blister this horse and get him back to the track in 60 days so he has time to throw another horse at the Derby.
U R A Yahoo Loser More than 1 year ago
Your record says 6 years, not 3 years. Apparently that stint in the mental hospital also effected your memory.
Thomas Cook More than 1 year ago
Licensed six yrs. Trained Three in New England as public trainer. The other yrs I was assistant in Ny and ran a few with permission in my name for friends back home. Dipshit. Learn more before you comment.
stevejPS More than 1 year ago
tick tick tick...and it just keeps on
Todd Elliot More than 1 year ago
the beyer numbers mean nothing for it is who you race against that counts..any horse can look good and get a good beyer number if they face inferior horses when they win,,,the beyers are and always will be a joke for if you attempt to handicap with math and numbers,,you will surely lose.
Ponies Payme More than 1 year ago
Really? Math and numbers? I make a living using the numbers (pace) and use that pace to see which horse can make a bid at the pace they are running at todays clip (math) Do me a favor. Find 300 friends like yourself and bet early and often. Your comment on beyer numbers and who you race again are correct, but not in the same breathe. It is HOW you achieve the number that counts. Now, take this advice - tweak your handicapping (as you stated you understand class in a round-about-way and become a winner.
Big Jeff More than 1 year ago
Pace figures ? Really? Hang in there. I know it can be frustrating at first, but you'll get the hang of it. There are many, many, pieces to the puzzle.
Big Jeff More than 1 year ago
Todd P.P is always trying to blow smoke hear. It's always fun to take money from the "PROS"
Gene More than 1 year ago
Baffert is VERY light on the Juvenile front if h is talking about Carving as his top two-year-old...