Full Serrano scratched from San Diego with ongoing feet issues
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DEL MAR, Calif. – Persistent feet issues that plagued Full Serrano reemerged Saturday morning at Del Mar, and the Grade 1 winner was scratched from his showdown with Journalism on Saturday afternoon in the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap.
“Obviously a big bummer,” trainer John Sadler said. “It’s not [serious], it’s just poor timing.”
Full Serrano, winner of the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Del Mar, had trained super into the San Diego and was expected to be the main threat to heavily favored Journalism. Everything looked good for Full Serrano early Saturday morning, but the situation changed as the day unfolded.
“We checked him super early, like 4:15, and he jogged good,” Sadler said. “By 7:30, the groom said something, said [Full Serrano] was a little off. We brought him out, looked at him, and he was scratched about around 8.”
Full Serrano, owned by Hronis Racing, would have been making his first start since a better-than-looked fourth-place finish March 28 in the Oaklawn Mile. He had not started since then because of a foot issue that seemed to be behind him. Then, it was not.
“He’s had foot issues, different feet,” Sadler acknowledged. “The bright side is it’s only a foot. We have to take care of it. Sometimes these things will [mend] sooner rather than later.”
Sadler will have a starter in the San Diego. The Goat, a Group 1 winner in Chile, will make his second U.S. start and could keep front-runner Mirahmadi honest on the lead. Journalism will be heavily favored in the San Diego, which is down to a field of five.
The remaining starters are Journalism, Mirahmadi, The Goat, Shea Brennan, and Iron Man Cal.
Another key scratch Saturday was in the Grade 2 San Clemente Handicap for 3-year-old fillies on turf. Lookin at Diamond, third with a wide trip/passive ride last out in the Honeymoon Stakes, was scratched. Favorites for the San Clemente are Kentucky shippers Raiding Party and Ground Support.
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