Justique will not run in Santa Ynez, Sherriffs says
Justique has been scratched from Sunday’s Grade 3 Santa Ynez Stakes at Santa Anita after showing an elevated temperature briefly on Wednesday, trainer John Shirreffs said Saturday morning.
Shirreffs said that Justique’s temperature was back to normal on Thursday, but that it rose after minor exercise.
“She had a little temperature three days ago,” he said. “The next day, her temperature was okay. We jogged her and her temperature went up a little bit, but not bad.
“The final decision was her immune system is fighting something. Even though it’s very minor, there is no sense in risking more damage.
“Today, she galloped and was feeling good. It was that one day. We had a little blip.”
Shirreffs said Justique will be pointed to the Grade 3 Las Virgenes Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at a mile on Jan. 28.
The Santa Ynez was scheduled for Jan. 1, but the program was canceled because of extensive rain the previous night.
Without Justique, the $200,000 Santa Ynez Stakes at seven furlongs has a field of five.
Justique won the Desi Arnaz Stakes at seven furlongs for 2-year-old fillies at Del Mar in November and was the only stakes winner entered in the Santa Ynez.
The remaining entrants include three fillies trained by Bob Baffert – Fast and Shiny, Huntingcoco and Parody.
Parody and Huntingcoco were fourth and fifth in the Desi Arnaz Stakes. Parody set the pace in that field and is expected to have a forward role in the Santa Ynez.
Fast and Shiny, supplemented to the Santa Ynez for $4,000, has not raced since she finished sixth in an allowance race at a mile on turf at Del Mar on Nov. 12, setting the pace before fading in the final furlong.
Ice Dancing, the attractive winner of a maiden race at a mile for 2-year-old fillies at Del Mar on Nov. 25 in her fourth start, and Satin Doll, a well-beaten third in an allowance race at Turfway Park on Dec. 14, are the other runners.
Ice Dancing, trained by Richard Mandella, was third in the Del Mar Debutante at seven furlongs and fourth in the Chandelier Stakes.
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