Gulfstream: Cough forces Luke of York to scratch from Spectacular Bid

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Trainer Jim DiVito was hoping to get his 2011-2012 Gulfstream Park meet off to a big start when he entered a pair of his promising 2-year-olds on Saturday’s opening day program, including the undefeated Luke of York, in the $100,000 Spectacular Bid.

Instead, DiVito’s meet began in total frustration when he was forced to scratch both Luke of York from the main event and Nachas and Joy from the seventh race after discovering both horses to be coughing on Saturday.

“They’ve both got a cough but it’s nothing serious,” said DiVito. “The weather started to get a little cooler then warmed up again and I guess that’s what caused the problem. It’s just one of those bad luck days.”

DiVito was extremely disappointed not to have an opportunity to run Luke of York in the Spectacular Bid.

“I think he’s going to be okay,” said DiVito, referring to Luke of York. “We should be ready to fight the next fight although I haven’t really looked that far ahead or given too much thought to where we might go next with him.”