The Chosen Vron Out of Breeders' Cup Sprint

Multiple grade 1-winning California-bred sprinter The Chosen Vron will not participate in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) at Del Mar Nov. 2. The news was first announced on X by Xpressbet TV's Zoe Cadman, who received the news from co-owner John Sondereker. Sondereker Racing owns the 6-year-old Vronsky gelding in partnership with trainer Eric Kruljac, Robert Fetkin, and Richard Thornburgh. "We're out of the race, but the horse is 100% sound," Kruljac told BloodHorse Oct. 22. "The track vets looked at him before, thought he was off. Some Breeders' Cup vet came in and said he was unsound, and there's nothing we can do about it." The Chosen Vron had recorded a four-furlong workout in :48 4/5 at Santa Anita Park Oct. 19, but was placed on the California Horse Racing Board's Veterinarian's List for "unsoundness" Oct 21. CHRB equine medical director Dr. Jeff Blea confirmed that The Chosen Vron was placed on the vet's list, but said he did not receive a specific a reason. According to Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority Rule 2241 (a)(1), covered horses placed on the veterinarian's list for unsoundness must remain on the list for a minimum of 14 days. Horses on the veterinarian's list cannot record official workouts or enter into races until declared to be in sound health by the attending veterinarian and the regulatory veterinarian following the minimum time. The Chosen Vron's 14 days would not expire until, at the earliest, Nov. 4, two days after the Sprint. As one of the premier racing events in the United States that is broadcast to a national audience, contenders in Breeders' Cup races are under intense veterinary scrutiny in the lead-up to the event. Scratches and withdrawals have been relatively common over the last few years. In a statement shared with BloodHorse by Breeders' Cup vice president of communications Claire Crosby, they stated: "Through the veterinary pre-screening process conducted on all potential starters for the Breeders' Cup World Championships, which is designed to ensure to the extent possible that every horse that makes the trip to Del Mar for the World Championships is sound to race and train, The Chosen Vron was identified by the veterinary pre-screening panel as a contender in need of early review. "As such, in accordance with pre-screening protocols, a request was made by the Breeders' Cup veterinary review panel that a veterinary exam be performed by a licensed California Horse Racing Board regulatory veterinarian. Following that exam by the California Horse Racing Board regulatory veterinarian and a member of the Breeders' Cup veterinary team, The Chosen Vron was placed on the vet's list by the California Horse Racing Board regulatory veterinarian, and therefore cannot compete in the Breeders' Cup World Championships." Kruljac disagreed with the decision. "I've had this horse since he was born, and he's 100% sound," Kruljac said. "He had some issues way back as a new 3-year-old. We did a little surgery, cleaned up a stifle. We've had nothing but a dead-sound horse ever since. He's never taken a bad step. He's the soundest horse I've ever trained. "I know my horse, he's sound. He just has a little funny way of going. They interpreted that as lame, but he'll go down there and go 1:08 and change every time." Fifth in the Breeders' Cup Sprint one year ago, The Chosen Vron earned an automatic, fees-paid berth to the race through the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series by winning the July 27 Bing Crosby Stakes (G1) at Del Mar for the second straight year. He recently finished second to Raging Torrent in the Pat O'Brien Stakes (G2) at Del Mar on Aug. 24, only his second defeat in his last 16 starts. "We have to live with it," Kruljac said. "We'll keep our cards close to our chest for now. We might send him out of the country. I don't want to expound any further on where. In any case, we've had a great run with the horse. You can't fight City Hall, regardless of how ridiculous they are." Pete Denk contributed to this story.