After Market out of Turf

OCEANPORT, N.J. - After Market was scratched from the Breeders' Cup Mile around 11 a.m. on Saturday. The scratch had begun to seem inevitable by late this week, as Monmouth was pelted by shower after shower, turning the turf course very wet. The turf was labeled soft for Saturday's races, and After Market was scratched under similar conditions the morning of the Aug. 11 Arlington Million.

Trainer John Shirreffs had remained hopeful this week that After Market would be able to make his scheduled start. Shirreffs pointed to the sand-based nature of the Monmouth course and its efficient drainage system as reasons the turf might stay firm enough for After Market to run. But in the end, the grass was too wet to risk After Market, who is a large, heavy horse who has trouble getting over turf that gives beneath him.

After Market probably won't be seen again at the races, and is scheduled to enter stud at Lane's End Farm for the upcoming breeding season.