Breeders' Cup: Veterinarians order Splendora scratched from Distaff

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LEXINGTON, Ky. - Splendora, last year’s Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint winner, has been scratched by the veterinarians from Saturday’s $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff, trainer Bob Baffert confirmed Thursday morning.

“They didn’t think she was 100 percent,” said Baffert, who did not specify the area of concern. “We’re disappointed, but they have to be 100 percent. [The veterinarians] have a really tough job. The industry puts a lot of pressure on them. We have to work together.”

Splendora is the second horse to be scratched from the Distaff after Scottish Lassie was scratched on Wednesday, leaving the $2 million race with a seven-horse field.

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Splendora was one of four scratches announced Thursday by the Breeders’ Cup on X. Also scratched were Earth Song from Friday’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, Serenas Ghost from Friday’s Juvenile Fillies Turf, and Praying from Saturday’s Filly and Mare Sprint.

The scratch of Serenas Ghost opens a spot in the Juvenile Fillies Turf for Luminous Beauty and she will run, according to trainer Jena Antonucci.

The scratch of Earth Song, before any more potential scratches, leaves the Juvenile with a six-horse field, the same size as last year’s race.

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