Sharp Samurai, with foot ailment, out of San Antonio Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. – An foot ailment knocked Sharp Samurai out of the Grade 2 San Antonio Stakes on Saturday at Santa Anita.

Sharp Samurai, second choice in the San Antonio behind Mucho Gusto, would have been making his first start since a troubled third in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile on Nov. 7 at Keeneland.

“He had a bit of a hot foot on him (Saturday) morning, and was a little sensitive with hoof testers,” trainer Mark Glatt said. “He just wasn’t perfect on it, and I was just uncomfortable running him.”

Glatt hopes the setback is nothing more than a bruised quarter from which Sharp Samurai could quickly recover. “We just have to make sure we know what we’re dealing with,” Glatt said. Sharp Samurai has won eight races and $1,111,270 from 23 starts.

The setback is not unusual for Sharp Samurai. “That’s part of why he runs on grass a lot, because he can get a little tender-footed at times,” Glatt said.

Sharp Samurai is nominated to the Grade 2 San Gabriel Stakes on Jan. 2, but Glatt said it was unlikely he would run. “He’d have to breeze (Sunday) morning in order to run. I’d say (the San Gabriel) is unlikely.”