Breeders' Cup: Dr. Venkman withdrawn from consideration
?q=100)
DEL MAR, Calif. – Dr. Venkman, who was pre-entered in both the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile and Breeders’ Cup Sprint, was not entered Monday for either race, trainer Mark Glatt said.
Glatt said the horse had “a little hiccup” about a month ago and, despite having several recent workouts, the trainer didn’t feel he was where he needs to be to compete in a Breeders’ Cup race.
“I’m not a big believer in running just to run,” Glatt said. “No matter what your price is on the board, you want to believe you’re in with a really good shot. At the end of the day, I didn’t think he was where he needs to be for either race at this level.”
Dr. Venkman, a 4-year-old gelding by Ghostzapper, won the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap at Del Mar in July and then ran fourth as the favorite in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic on Aug. 31. He was off the work tab for a month before breezing three furlongs Sept. 30 at Santa Anita.
Glatt said he will now target the Grade 2, $500,000 Cigar Mile on Dec. 7 at Aqueduct.
With the previous withdrawal of The Chosen Vron, and decisions by the connections of Domestic Product and Mufasa to run in the Dirt Mile, the Sprint was expected to be drawn Monday with 11 runners.
:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.