J Be K out of Sprint

ARCADIA, Calif. - Trainer Steve Asmussen confirmed Monday that J Be K would not start in the Breeders Cup Sprint. Asmussen said he was not pleased with the way J Be K, a two-time graded stakes winner earlier this year, bounced out of his last start in the Grade 1 Vosburgh at Saratoga on Sept. 27.

The defection of J Be K could leave a field of only nine starters for the Sprint. Thirteen horses were pre-entered for the race but of that group Indian Blessing and Lewis Michael gave first preference to the Filly and Mare Sprint and Dirt Mile, respectively, while Tropic Storm, whose first preference was the Turf Sprint, was also declared from the Breeders Cup.