Untapable sick, will miss Breeders' Cup Distaff

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Untapable, the winner of the 2014 Breeders’ Cup Distaff and one of the favorites for its 32nd running Friday at Keeneland, has been scratched from the $2 million race after spiking a temperature, trainer Steve Asmussen announced Tuesday.

A determination on whether Untapable, 4, will be retired will be made in due course by owner and breeder Ron Winchell, said Asmussen.

Untapable breezed a half-mile Monday at Keeneland in 50.78 seconds, according to Daily Racing Form clocker Mike Welsch, but upon returning to the barn, the filly was diagnosed with mucus in her tracheal passage by endoscopic examination, said Asmussen.

“It’s very disappointing,” said Asmussen. “She’s been waiting for this chance all year. It’s not meant to be.”

Untapable had been assigned post 11 in the Distaff as a 5-1 morning-line chance. Her defection still leaves as many as the 14-horse limit for the 1 1/8-mile Distaff, for which post positions were drawn Monday. Sixteen were pre-entered, but with Untapable out and Beholder going in the BC Classic, Calamity Kate became part of the post-position draw, and now Peace and War will draw in as No. 15, breaking from the far-outside post.

Bred and owned by Winchell Thoroughbreds, Untapable was the champion 3-year-old filly of 2014, winning the Kentucky Oaks in May and capping a brilliant 6-for-7 season with a 1 1/4-length Distaff triumph at Santa Anita.

By Tapit and out of Fun House, by Prized, Untapable has won nine times from 17 starts for earnings of $3,816,725. In six starts at 4, she won the Grade 1 Apple Blossom for her lone victory.

John Velazquez was scheduled to ride Untapable on Friday. Rosie Napravnik rode the filly last year and announced her retirement on national television just minutes after winning the Distaff.

– additional reporting by David Grening