Kentucky Derby winner Mage will not run in Breeders' Cup Classic, trainer says
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ARCADIA, Calif. - Mage, the Kentucky Derby winner, was withdrawn from consideration for next Saturday’s $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic by his connections on Sunday, according to a posting on trainer Gustavo Delgado’s twitter page.
“He presented a feverish state this morning and we have noticed symptoms of lost appetite,” the post stated. “Given the proximity to the race we feel that it is best for the horse to skip the Classic.
“We were very enthusiastic about the condition that the horse was going through, and despite how disappointed we feel right now, we are confident in a speedy recovery.”
Mage's connections have previously stated their intent to race the horse as a 4-year-old.
Mage, who upset the Kentucky Derby at 15-1, finished third in the Preakness, second in the Haskell and, in his most recent start, last in the Grade 1 Travers Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 26.
Mage is owned by a partnership that includes Ramiro Restrepo, Sterling Racing, CMNWLTH and OGMA Investments.
Also withdrawn Sunday from the Breeders’ Cup were Sabra Tuff [Distaff], who was reported to have a fever, and V.V.’s Dream [Juvenile Filliles], whose connections to chose to run in Sunday’s Rags to Riches Stakes at Churchill Downs, where she finished third of five.
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