Indyanne likely to scratch because of fever

ARCADIA, Calif. - An untimely fever is likely to prevent Indyanne from running Friday in the $1 million Breeders Cup Filly and Mare Sprint, trainer Greg Gilchrist confirmed Wednesday afternoon.

"Shes not officially out, but she is all but out," Gilchrist said.

A wickedly fast 3-year-old filly who won five of her six starts on the front end, Indyanne was expected to set the pace in the seven-furlong Filly and Mare Sprint. But after Indyanne shipped from Golden Gate Fields to Santa Anita on Tuesday, her condition deteriorated.

"She might have had a case of shipping fever, or she might have had something we did not know about," Gilchrist said, adding that "shes not cleaning up her feed, and has a slight temperature."

Gilchrist said her temperature had been as high as 102 before dropping slightly, but as of Wednesday afternoon Indyanne had not been treated with antibiotics. If she had been treated, she would have been scratched already.

Gilchrist said he would leave a small door open that she still could run, but he expected her to be officially declared Thursday morning.

"Were everything but out," he said.

David and Jill Heeresnperger own Indyanne, a daughter of Indian Charlie whose front-running win Oct. 4 at Keeneland was the second Grade 3 win of her career. She won the Grade 3 Azalea on July 12 at Calder.

The likely scratch of Indyanne will significantly alter the pace scenario for the Filly and Mare Sprint, and figures to benefit Dream Rush and Dearest Trickski most. Those one-dimensional front-runners figured to duel early with Indyanne.

Indian Blessing, the favorite for the race, also has an up-front running style.