Noholdingback Bear slowed by throat problem in BC Sprint

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Noholdingback Bear faded to seventh and last in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Santa Anita on Nov. 5, and trainer Michael De Paulo said a poor start and a throat issue were to blame.

“I guess he didn’t break that well,” he said. “His head was turned when they sprung the latch. It was just the beginning of a bad day. He’s got a little issue with his throat right now. We’re going to try to straighten that out. But soundness-wise, he’s fine. He should be back and he should be fine.”

Noholdingback Bear had been entered in the Fasig-Tipton November sale in Lexington, Ky., on Nov. 7, but was withdrawn because of the throat issue.

“You can’t really sell him off that kind of race,” De Paulo said.

De Paulo said Noholdingback Bear is in Kentucky being evaluated. If everything goes well, De Paulo said, the 3-year-old could join his string at Gulfstream Park for the winter.

“I’m not 100 percent sure, but I’ll know within a week or so,” he said. “We’re just getting him checked out a little and we’ll see what happens.