Category: Horse Racing News

Vekoma Scratched from Breeders’ Cup Sprint After Spiking Fever

Dual 2020 Grade I winner Vekoma (Candy Ride {Arg}), the heavy favorite for Saturday’s GI Breeders’ Cup Sprint, has been scratched from the race after spiking a fever, it was announced early Wednesday morning by trainer George Weaver.

“Last night, the horse spiked a fever on us,” Weaver told TVG, “and we needed to treat him with the doctor last night and he just wasn’t fit to go train today. Being this close to a race, he’s not fit to run either so we’re not going to be able to participate.

“The horse had been doing fantastic and it almost felt like it was destiny for him to run in this race and put a crown on this year’s achievements. [I’m] very disappointed but I’m glad that the horse is going to be okay.”

Vekoma has won all three of his 2020 starts–including the July 4 GI Met Mile and the June 6 GI Carter H.–in impressive fashion, notching Beyer Speed Figures of 110 in the Carter and 104 in the Met Mile.

He is scheduled to stand at Spendthrift Farm in 2021. Weaver said the ownership ground would discuss whether Vekoma would make another start before retirement.

The post Vekoma Scratched from Breeders’ Cup Sprint After Spiking Fever appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Texas Red Yearling Tops Indiana Fall Mixed Sale

The Indiana Thoroughbred Owners And Breeders Association Fall Mixed Sale was held Saturday, Oct. 31, and posted positive results despite the impact of COVID-19 forcing the sale to relocate from its traditional location at Indiana Grand Racing and Casino to nearby Smith Training Stables in Fountaintown, Ind.

A total of 69 horses went through the ring, with 66 selling for a total of $263,400 and an average of $3,991.

The highest price was for Hip 68, an Indiana-bred yearling gelding by Texas Red out of the stakes-placed River Special mare Color Me Special. Consigned by Dawn Martin, the April foal sold for $18,200 to Roger Spiess.

“While COVID-19 threatened the sale, so many people came together to make it a success,” said ITOBA president Bruce Murphy. “A big thank you goes to all the consignors and buyers for making this sale possible, as well as to Duane Swingley Auctioneers and everyone at ITOBA who put in so much work to make it happen. And a huge thanks also go to Randy and Debbie Smith of Smith Training Stables for serving as tremendous hosts. We are excited to see the young sale graduates in the starting gates at Indiana Grand in the coming years, and we look forward to seeing the broodmare graduates produce some great Indiana-breds in the future.

“The fact that we only had three horses that didn't meet their reserve shows that there was strong demand for horses and breeding stock to participate in the Indiana program,” he added.

Complete sale results are available at www.duaneswingleyauctioneers.com.

The post Texas Red Yearling Tops Indiana Fall Mixed Sale appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Sprint: Morning Line Favorite Vekoma Out With A Fever

Vekoma, morning line favorite in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Sprint, is expected to be a scratch after spiking a temperature Tuesday night, according to the Daily Racing Form's David Grening.

In an interview with TVG, trainer George Weaver said the horse had been seen by a veterinarian late Tuesday and wasn't able to train Wednesday morning.

“I was happy with everything until we got the news he had a temp last night,” said Weaver. “The horse had been doing fantastic and felt like he was almost going to put a crown on this year's achievements. Very disappointed, but I'm glad the horse is going to be ok and I'm looking forward to seeing his second career.”

Vekoma will stand stud at Spendthrift at the conclusion of his career. Weaver said he would consult with Spendthrift to see whether the horse would make another start before retiring.

The race had been a much-anticipated comeback for Vekoma, who had not started in four months after battling a stubborn foot abscess at Saratoga this summer. Prior to his foot woes, Vekoma had looked like he was destined for a strong 4-year-old campaign, with a convincing win in the G1 Met Mile and an impressive 7 1/4-length victory in the G1 Carter this summer.

Vekoma is owned by Gatsas Stables and R A Hill Stable. Javier Castellano had been set to ride the front-running colt.

The post Sprint: Morning Line Favorite Vekoma Out With A Fever appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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