Mrazek out of Hopeful with body soreness

DEL MAR, Calif. – Mrazek, the winner of the Graduation Stakes for California-breds on Aug. 5, will miss the Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga on Monday because of body soreness.

Trainer Doug O’Neill said Mrazek was diagnosed after a half-mile workout last Sunday and will spend 30 to 45 days resting at Vessels Stallion Farm in Bonsall, Calif.

“We’ll have him back by the end of the year,” O’Neill said.

Mrazek is by Square Eddie and has won 2 of 4 starts and earned $135,810 for owners and breeders Paul and Zillah Reddam. Mrazek was second in the Santa Anita Juvenile in June and in the Summer Juvenile Championship at Los Alamitos in July before the win in the Graduation.

Ralis, second in the Graduation, will be sent to the Hopeful, the top race for 2-year-olds at the Saratoga meeting, O’Neill said.