A number of grade 1-winning California-bred sprinter The Chosen Vron won’t take part within the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Dash (G1) at Del Mar Nov. 2.
The information was first introduced on X by Xpressbet TV’s Zoe Cadman, who obtained the information from co-owner John Sondereker. Sondereker Racing owns the 6-year-old Vronsky gelding in partnership with coach Eric Kruljac, Robert Fetkin, and Richard Thornburgh.
“We’re out of the race, however the horse is 100% sound,” Kruljac instructed BloodHorse Oct. 22. “The monitor vets checked out him earlier than, thought he was off. Some Breeders’ Cup vet got here in and stated he was unsound, and there is nothing we are able to do about it.”
The Chosen Vron had recorded a four-furlong exercise in :48 4/5 at Santa Anita Park Oct. 19, however was positioned on the California Horse Racing Board’s Veterinarian’s Checklist for “unsoundness” Oct 21. CHRB equine medical director Dr. Jeff Blea confirmed that The Chosen Vron was positioned on the vet’s checklist, however stated he didn’t have a cause.
In accordance with Horseracing Integrity and Security Authority Rule 2241 (a)(1), coated horses positioned on the veterinarian’s checklist for unsoundness should stay on the checklist for no less than 14 days.
Horses on the veterinarian’s checklist can not report official exercises or enter into races till declared to be in sound well being by the attending veterinarian and the regulatory veterinarian following the minimal time. The Chosen Vron’s 14 days wouldn’t expire till, on the earliest, Nov. 4, two days after the Dash.
Coach J. Eric Kruljac, left, celebrates with jockey Hector Berrios after The Chosen Vron’s victory within the San Carlos Stakes at Santa Anita Park
“I’ve had this horse since he was born, and he is 100% sound,” Kruljac stated. “He had some points manner again as a brand new 3-year-old. We did slightly surgical procedure, cleaned up a stifle. We have had nothing however a dead-sound horse ever since. He is by no means taken a foul step. He is the soundest horse I’ve ever educated.
“I do know my horse, he is sound. He simply has slightly humorous manner of going. They interpreted that as lame, however he’ll go down there and go 1:08 and alter each time.”
Fifth within the Breeders’ Cup Dash one yr in the past, The Chosen Vron earned an automated, fees-paid berth to the race by profitable the July 27 Bing Crosby Stakes (G1) at Del Mar for the second straight yr. He lately completed second to Raging Torrent within the Pat O’Brien Stakes (G2) at Del Mar on Aug. 24, solely his second defeat in his final 16 begins.
As one of many premier racing occasions in America that’s broadcast to a nationwide viewers, contenders in Breeders’ Cup races are underneath intense veterinary scrutiny within the lead-up to the occasion. Scratches and withdrawals have been comparatively frequent over the previous few years.
“We have now to dwell with it,” Kruljac stated. “We’ll preserve our playing cards near our chest for now. We’d ship him in another country. I do not need to expound any additional on the place. In any case, we have had a fantastic run with the horse. You’ll be able to’t battle Metropolis Corridor, no matter how ridiculous they’re.”
Dora Delgado, government vice chairman and chief racing officer for Breeders’ Cup, didn’t instantly return a cellphone message looking for remark, nor did Dr. Will Farmer, a Breeders’ Cup veterinary group chief.
Pete Denk contributed to this story.
