Santa Anita

Melatonin targets February start

Steve Andersen|Dec 12, 2016

Melatonin finishes fifth in the Breeders' Cup Classic

Barbara D. Livingston Melatonin, who finished fifth in the Breeders' Cup Classic, is in light training after fighting a foot problem, trainer David Hofmans said.

Melatonin, the winner of two Grade 1 races this year and fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita on Nov. 5, is in light training and will not start in 2017 until February at the earliest.

“He’s just jogging,” trainer David Hofmans said on Sunday. “I’ve had a foot issue with him.”

The setback will prevent Melatonin from starting in the first major race for older horses on dirt at the Santa Anita winter-spring meeting – the $200,000 San Pasqual Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on Jan. 1. Hofmans said the $300,000 San Antonio Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on Feb. 4 is a possibility for Melatonin.

Owned by Susan Osborne, Melatonin has won 5 of 14 starts and earned $1,398,552. Melatonin, 5, won the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap in March and the Grade 1 Gold Cup at Santa Anita in June.

DRF Headlines

View All