Frankel pair out of Grand Slam II

MIAMI - Saturday's Grand Slam II program at Calder, which shapes up as one of the best cards in track history, lost some luster Wednesday when trainer Bobby Frankel decided against entering of either his multiple Grade 1 winners as originally planned.

Super Quercus is out of the Grade 2, $150,000 W.L. McKnight Handicap at 1 1/2 miles on the turf, and The Seven Seas will not run in the Grade 2, $150,000 La Prevoyante Handicap at 1 1/2 miles on the turf for for fillies and mares.

Despite the absence of Frankel's big twosome, the fields for all four stakes on the Grand Slam II card nonetheless came up strong.

In addition to the McKnight and the La Prevoyante, the card includes the $100,000 Fred Hooper Jr. Handicap and the $100,000 Chaposa Springs Handicap, both Grade 3's.

Frankel told track officials Wednesday that Super Quercus had come up sick that morning and could not make a flight to south Florida that was scheduled to depart that evening. With Super Quercus out, he opted not to send The Seven Seas, either.

The exit of Super Quercus from the McKnight leaves a field of 12, led by Honor Glide and Mr. Pleasentfar, who carry highweight of 117 and 116 pounds, respectively.

Honor Glide drew post 1 and will be ridden by Robbie Davis, who has been aboard for two wins this year, including Woodbine's Niagara Breeders Cup Handicap. Honor Glide won the Grade 1 Sword Dancer Handicap in 1999.

Mr. Pleasentfar won his last two starts, both at 1 3/8 miles, and enters the McKnight off a three-quarter-length victory against Eltawaasul in the Grade 2 Red Smith Handicap.

Eltawaasul is also in the McKnight, along with Crash Course and Deeliteful Irving.

With The Seven Seas a no-show in the La Prevoyante, Grade 2 Long Island Handicap winner Queue is the starting highweight at 116 pounds. She drew the outside post in a field of 10.

Best of the Rest will try to earn a spot in the Grade 1 Donn Handicap when he leads a field of eight older horses in the 1 1/8-mile Hooper. Best of the Rest carries highweight of 120 pounds, four more than multiple graded stakes winner Kiss a Native. Gold Mover will be favored against nine other fillies and mares in the seven-furlong Chaposa Springs, with Sugar N Spice and Vague Memory perhaps her chief rivals.

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