Bramlage to Evaluate Jack Christopher Next Week

Jack Christopher, scratched from the Nov. 5 TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (G1), will be evaluated next week in Kentucky by renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Larry Bramlage, said Bradley Weisbord, racing manager for some of the colt's connections. The Chad Brown-trained 2-year-old, owned by Jim Bakke, Gerald Isbister, Coolmore Stud, and Peter Brant, was scratched on the advice of Breeders' Cup veterinarians because of a "minor left shin," Weisbord said. Breeders' Cup veterinarians evaluate all participating horses leading up to their races, checking them jogging on track at Del Mar and examining them at their barns. Weisbord said he was with his clients, Bakke and Isbister, when Brown called him around 6 p.m. ET Nov. 4, informing him that Breeders' Cup officials "weren't going to let (the colt) run." Weisbord called the news "gut-wrenching." Jack Christopher became the second scratch for Brown this week, following Klaravich Stables' Domestic Spending (GB) removal from the Nov. 6 Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T). Weisbord said he was understanding of the close evaluation given to Breeders' Cup participants and was surprised at the news, noting that Jack Christopher had not had any other physical setbacks this year. "We obviously don't want to put the horse at risk. (Chad's) the top trainer in the world, and if they believe that he shouldn't run, there is no reason to ask more questions than that," Weisbord said. According to Weisbord, even before this week's setback, plans had called for 45 days' rest for the Munnings colt following the Breeders' Cup before a resumption of light training with lay-up trainer Paul Sharp in Florida.