2021 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf: Favored Annapolis out with ankle chip
ELMONT, N.Y. -- Annapolis, the 3-1 favorite on Daily Racing Form’s morning line for the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, will be forced to miss the race due to a hind ankle chip, trainer Todd Pletcher said Friday morning.
Pletcher believes the horse will need surgery to remove the chip but was awaiting confirmation of that from Dr. Larry Bramlage of the Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital.
“It’s minor, but horrific timing obviously,” Pletcher said.
Annapolis had worked a half-mile in 50.37 on dirt Thursday morning in company with Nest, who is pre-entered for the Juvenile Fillies.
Annapolis, a son of War Front owned by Bass Racing, won his maiden by 4 1/2 lengths at Saratoga on Sept. 4 and came back to win the Grade 2 Pilgrim at Belmont by a head over Portfolio Company.
“I thought his breeze was very good yesterday, obviously both of his races have been good. Obviously he’s a top-level horse,” Pletcher said. “You hate to miss an opportunity like this when you’re this close but there’s a good series of races for him next year and we’ll just have to focus on that.”