Miller confirms Roy H won't make BC Sprint

Trainer Peter Miller ended all speculation when telling Daily Racing Form on Monday that Roy H will not be back to defend the Breeders' Cup Sprint title he won in 2017 and 2018 in November at Santa Anita.

Roy H has been fighting foot issues since he was scratched from the Dubai Golden Shaheen earlier this spring. The 7-year-old son of More Than Ready had his first work back on September 21, going three furlongs in 38.40 at San Luis Rey Downs, at which time Miller said all would have to go perfectly from that point on for Roy H to make it back to the Breeders' Cup.

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"It was just asking too much of him too soon to get back to the Breeders' Cup," said Miller by phone from California on Monday. "He worked well, but I wasn't thrilled with his feet coming out of the work. And he's just been took good to Mr. Hartunian and myself to push him to make the Sprint. I don't think he's done racing, he's just officially out of the Breeders' Cup."

Roy H rallied to defeat Imperial Hint by a length to win the 2017 Sprint at Del Mar and was an easier 3 1/4-length winner in defense of his title a year ago at Churchill Downs. Owned by Gary Hartunian's Rockingham Ranch in partnership with David Bernsen, Roy H has won 10 of 23 career starts for earnings of $3,139,765.