Undefeated Vacare opts out

CHICAGO - Vacare, the unbeaten winner of the Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup, was not pre-entered in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf, trainer Chris Block said Monday afternoon.

Block said several factors working in conjunction made the Filly and Mare Turf seem like an overly demanding spot. Vacare would be coming back on three weeks rest while facing older horses for the first time. Moreover, Vacare has never raced beyond 1 1/8 miles, and the Filly and Mare Turf is run at 1 3/8 miles.

"Everything put together makes it a large hill to climb," Block said.

Vacare, undefeated after four starts, might not race again for Block, since owner-breeder Bob Lothenbach has entered Vacare in Fasig-Tipton Kentucky's November Selected Mixed Sale on Nov. 5. Vacare is catalogued as Hip No. 241.