World of Trouble scratch changes complexion of Troy Stakes

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - The complexion of Saturday’s Grade 3, $200,000 Troy Stakes scheduled for 5 1/2 furlongs on turf changed dramatically the morning of the race when 3-5 favorite World of Trouble was scratched due to a foot bruise, according to his majority owner Michael Dubb.

“It’s a minor foot bruise, he’s 99 percent but we’re not going to run him unless he’s 100 percent,” Dubb said. “It’s not serious, just bad timing. Certainly, it’s very disappointing for me, he’s my favorite horse.”

Dubb said the plan had been to run World of Trouble in the $300,000 Turf Monster at Parx on Sept. 2.

World of Trouble, trained by Jason Servis, was the heavy favorite based on his 9-for-13 record, which includes a victory in the Grade 1 Jaipur at Belmont Park over firm turf on June 8. He had the rail for the Troy and was expected to be pressed early by the likes of Pure Sensation or Rocket Heat.

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Pure Sensation is one of two horses owned by Frank and Patricia Generazio and trained by Christophe Clement in the Troy. Clement said Saturday morning the race dynamics doesn’t change for him although the fact World of Trouble is out makes it “an easier race.”

Pure Sensation, an 8-year-old gelding, is 3 for 3 this year with all of his wins coming on the lead. Overall, he is 13 for 33 with earnings of $1.7 million. Disco Partner, a 7-year-old son of Disco Risco, is 11 for 30 with earnings of $1.4 million. He prefers to come from off the pace.

“Pure Sensation is fast, he’s going to break from the gate well, Disco Partner seems to be stalking, he’s going to break and be stalking,” Clement said. “The race doesn’t change much for me other than that the favorite is out.”

Rocket Heat, winner of a Claiming Crown race at Gulfstream in December, is another with enough speed to be a pace factor in the Troy. He most recently finished second to Pure Sensation in the Parx Dash.

Trainer Michael Trombetta is hoping a hot pace develops for his late-runner Wet Your Whistle, who has won four straight races, including a last-to-first victory in the Grade 1 Highlander Stakes at Woodbine on June 29.

“There’s lots of speed, my horse is doing really good so if he’s ever going to take them on it’s going to be this week,” Trombetta said.
Leinster, who has won allowance races at Keeneland and Churchill in his last two starts, completes the field.