Tax scratched from Oklahoma Derby, may train up to BC Classic

Tax has been scratched from the Oklahoma Derby and could train up to the $6 million Breeders' Cup Classic on Nov. 2 at Santa Anita, trainer Danny Gargan said on Sunday.

Tax was to start as one of the top choices in the Grade 3, $400,000 Oklahoma Derby on Sunday at Remington Park for a record that includes a win in the Grade 2 Jim Dandy at Saratoga. He shipped into Oklahoma City on Wednesday from his base of Belmont Park.

“He spiked a shipping temperature the day we got there,” Gargan said Sunday. “It came right back down [but] we decided to wait and do the right thing by the horse.

“We'll bring him home.”

Gargan said Tax was scheduled to fly back to New York on Tuesday.

:: BREEDERS’ CUP 2019: See DRF’s top contenders

The Breeders’ Cup Classic has become a consideration, Gargan said, following the results of the preps Saturday. He said if Tax were to end up going to the race, he felt it would not have been in his best interest to run him Sunday.

Tax won the Grade 3 Withers in February at Aqueduct ahead of his victory in the Jim Dandy in July. He exits the Travers, an Aug. 24 race at Saratoga in which he finished seventh after a wide trip from post 12.

Tax is a son of Arch who races for R.A. Hill Stable, Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Hugh Lynch, and Corms Racing Stable.