Tamara, Sweet Azteca, and Mystik Dan are among the notable Breeders' Cup scratches at Del Mar from racing Nov. 1.
The scratches of the Richard Mandella-trained Tamara and the Richard Baltas-trained Sweet Azteca remove the two morning-line favorites from the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1). The former had been 7-2 on the morning line, and the latter 2-1. A longshot from Japan, Fee Blanche, is also out of the 7-furlong race, leaving a field of seven.
2024 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mystik Dan was scratched by regulatory veterinarians from the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1), according to trainer Kenny McPeek. The 4-year-old colt's response to flexion was cited as a basis for his scratch. A flexion test involves applying a short period of pressure to the joints of a limb before re-examination.
Mystik Dan will become a stallion next year at Airdrie Stud in Kentucky.
McMeek's other intended Breeders' Cup starter, Blackout Time, was scratched by regulatory veterinarians Oct. 31.
"My team put both these horses on the plane without a single soundness concern," the Kentucky-based McPeek posted on X alongside two videos of his horses galloping this week at Del Mar. "Neither horse has had any history of unsoundness. While obviously disappointed, we have been on an amazing journey the last two years and will continue to work hard for our clients and our horses."
In consideration of equine safety, horses scheduled to compete at the Breeders' Cup are under a high level of veterinary scrutiny. More than 20 regulatory veterinarians are on site at Del Mar. They are inspected at their barns and monitored during morning training.
The Del Mar main track is fast, and the turf course is firm. Morning clouds are expected to clear, making way for sunny skies in the afternoon with high temperatures in the low 70s.
Listed below are the scratches reported as of 9 a.m. PT from Saturday's nine Breeders' Cup events. Some of these scratches were previously announced, such as the withdrawal of this year's Kentucky Derby winner, Sovereignty. He was pulled from the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) earlier in the week after running a fever.
Race 4: #4 Tamara, #5 Fee Blanche (JPN), #6 Sweet Azteca
Race 5: #3 Arizona Blaze, #14 Yellow Card, #15 No Nay Hudson, #16 Incanto
-- Note -- #13 Puro Magic draws in and runs.
Race 6: #15 Valiant Force
Race: 7: #5 Scottish Lassie
Race 9: #6 Sovereignty
Race 11: #4 Mystik Dan
Race: 12: #3 Atsila
