Mo Forza, if not the favorite for the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Mile certainly a sentimental favorite, will miss the race at Keeneland on Nov. 7 due to a minor issue, trainer Peter Miller told Santa Anita officials by telephone Saturday morning.
“If all goes well, we'll run in the Breeders' Cup next year at Del Mar,” the trainer said.
“What happened is just bad timing. I think he's the best turf miler in the world and I'm disappointed he won't be able to prove it this year.”
Mo Forza was owned in part by the estate of former trainer Barry Abrams, who died on Oct. 9 after a 15-year battle with cancer.
Abrams, who campaigned as Bardy Farm, also bred Mo Forza.
“This horse kept Barry going,” Miller said. “It gave him something to look forward to.
“It meant a lot to Barry and meant a lot to me, so we were crossing our fingers and hoping he could 'Win One for The Gipper.'”
A 4-year-old Uncle Mo colt also owned by part by Onofrio Pecoraro who races as OG Boss, Mo Forza had won six of his last seven races including the G1 Hollywood Derby last Nov. 30 and the G2 City of Hope Mile at Santa Anita on Oct. 3, his most recent outing.
The Kentucky-bred bay has a 6-3-1 record from 12 starts with earnings of $734,460.
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