Wait a While scratched from F&M Turf

OCEANPORT, N.J. With almost two inches of rain having fallen to soften up the Monmouth Park turf course, Wait a While was scratched from Saturdays $2 million Breeders Cup Filly and Mare Turf.

Though trainer Todd Pletcher was not immediately available for comment, he had said all week long that Wait a While prefers firm turf and that it was a real possibility she could be scratched if the turf came up soft.

Pletcher had also said that Wait a While could be pointed to the Grade 1 Matriarch at Hollywood Park on Nov. 25.

The defection of Wait a While, last years 3-year-old champion, leaves the Filly and Mare Turf with a field of 11. Pletcher has one of the contenders in Honey Ryder, who finished third in this race last year, one spot ahead of Wait a While.

Wait a While joins Dixie Chatter and Slews Tiznow (Juvenile), Cry and Catch Me (Juvenile Fillies) and Attilas Storm (Sprint) as horses who were scratched out of Breeders Cup races.

To begin the card, the turf course will be labeled soft and the main track sloppy.

Other scratches on Saturdays card include:

* Race 1 (Pegasus) Stunt Man

* Race 3 (Select) Buffalo Man