One of Santa Anita Park's three regular stewards, Luis Jauregui, has recused himself for the Nov. 3 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1T) and will be replaced by safety steward David Nuesch, California Horse Racing Board executive director Scott Chaney said Nov. 1.
Jauregui, a former rider and respected Southern California steward, is the brother of Northern California-based trainer O. J. Jauregui, who will start Danny Eplin's Dreamfyre in the $1 million race at Santa Anita.
Leading into the Breeders' Cup, Dreamfyre won the Oct. 8 Surfer Girl Stakes (G3T) at Santa Anita, surviving a claim of foul and a stewards inquiry to remain first. The Equibase chartcaller wrote that Dreamfyre "drifted out and bumped" runner-up Buttercream Babe late. Dreamfyre crossed the wire first by a neck under Hector Berrios.
The three stewards—Grant Baker, Kim Sawyer, and Luis Jauregui—voted unanimously that the incident did not warrant a disqualification. Stewards in California can make no change for a foul if they believe it did not cost a fouled rival a placing. Dreamfyre maintained an advantage over Buttercream Babe down the stretch.
"Obviously we got some negative feedback from the wagering public," Chaney said of the perception of a conflict of interest.
Retired Daily Racing Form national correspondent Jay Privman was among those that spotlighted the Surfer Girl incident Oct. 14 during the Thoroughbred Los Angeles Radio Show, questioning Jauregui's decision not to recuse himself and Chaney and chief steward Darrel McHargue for not requiring he step aside.
Privman said two weeks ago it would be a "national and international embarrassment" if Jauregui were in the stewards booth for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf with Dreamfyre in the race.
Speaking of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, "Luis is going to recuse himself from that particular race, given the magnitude of the Breeders' Cup," said Chaney, a former steward. "But I want to be clear—it is not a practice that will continue on a Thursday afternoon if his brother has horses running.
"It's why we have three stewards. They do an excellent job. And I think the implication that he could somehow (influence) the other two and affect the outcome in favor of his brother is unfair to Luis."
He said that with many stewards having ties in racing, there will be instances of stewards having "connections" with participants.
Algiers, Get SMokin among bc scratches
In addition to the Oct. 31 withdrawal of Arcangelo from the Nov. 4 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Santa Anita Park, other scratches have been reported in the last 24 hours by Breeders' Cup officials.
Defections from Future Stars Friday on Nov. 3 include Ecoro Neo from the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) and Liam's Journey from the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1T). On Saturday, Get Smokin is out of the Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T) and Practical Move and Algiers will not compete in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1).
Practical Move died from a suspected cardiac event Tuesday at Santa Anita.
Perez: Practical Move Dies of Apparent Cardiac Event
King: Arcangelo Scratched From Breeders' Cup Classic
Horses are under tight veterinary oversight at the Breeders' Cup, and it is standard for scratches to occur.
Most of the recent withdrawals were longshots, with Algiers, trained by Simon Crisford for Rabbah Bloodstock, one of the more popular choices at 6-1 on the morning line for the Dirt Mile. Rishi Persaud with FanDuel TV reported on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, that the 6-year-old gelding had some heat in a right front leg.
A dual group 2 stakes winner on dirt at Meydan early in the year, the gelded son of Shamardal had been second in the Dubai World Cup (G1) in March and then returned with another runner-up finish when sent to North America to run in the Oct. 7 Durham Cup (G3) at Woodbine.
A field of just seven remains for the Dirt Mile, in which fan favorite Cody's Wish will bid for a second consecutive triumph in the two-turn contest. The Godolphin-owned 5-year-old Curlin horse won the Dirt Mile last year at Keeneland for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott.
Get Smokin, winner of the Sept. 9 Kentucky Turf Cup Stakes (G2T) at Kentucky Downs for owners BlackRidge Stables, Ironhorse Racing Stable, Saratoga Seven Racing Partners, and T-N-T Equine Holdings, was pulled from competition in the Turf. Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse described Get Smokin as having "old ankles."
"He aggravated it a little, on a scale of 1 to 10, probably a 1, but we're not going to take any chances," Casse said of the 6-year-old Got Stormy gelding. "So he'll be back for next year."
He said the plan would be to aim for a second consecutive win in the Kentucky Turf Cup, presumably with a series of races before that September race.
Updated Breeders' Cup scratches can be found on X.
Meikei Yell Brings Element of Unknown
It's easy to understand why someone might overlook Meikei Yell in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) Nov. 4 at Santa Anita Park.
First, Japanese horses that haven't run in North America generally don't do well the first time. Second, until someone beats her in this race, it is Goodnight Olive's world; the other eight runners are just living in it.
But Meikei Yell is as wild of a wild card as there gets.
The 5-year-old is by Mikki Isle, whose sire is Deep Impact (JPN). Deep Impact's sire is Hall of Famer Sunday Silence. The pedigree is there. Adding to the mystery is that in her 17 career starts (7-0-0), she's never broken from the starting gate with dirt under her.
training Oct. 29 at Santa Anita Park
Her trainer, Hidenori Take, who spoke through an interpreter, acknowledged all of his trainee's question marks. But also said, when she wins she makes a statement in doing so.
"She's...a little bit difficult to control sometimes, and a little inconsistent but when she wins in her style, it's very strong and very impressive," he said via journalist Toshi Onikubo. "So this time around, she has a good chance and if the track suits her, I believe she has a good chance to win."
Bred by Northern Racing and owned by Nagoya Horse Racing, Meikei Yell has earned $2,861,851 in her career.
