Breeders' Cup: Creative Cause takes the morning off

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Creative Cause, a leading contender for the Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, did not train over a wet track at Churchill Downs Friday morning, a day after an incident in which he was kicked by a pony during training hours.

Trainer Mike Harrington said his colt was not injured by the kick, saying it only “brushed the hair” of his colt’s hock. He said the horse did not train Friday in no part because of the kick, although he did not specify why.

The Churchill Downs track, pounded by rain Thursday, began the morning officially listed as sloppy before being updated to muddy, and is expected to improve up to first post.

“It was very, very minor,” said Harrington. “I really hope the media doesn’t blow this out of proportion because it was nothing.”

Creative Cause, winner of the Grade 1 Norfolk Stakes over Drill, is 7-2 on the morning line behind 2-1 Union Rags.