Express Train, winner of the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap in July, has been scratched from Saturday's G1 Breeders' Cup Classic, according to a report from Jay Privman of Daily Racing Form.
Trainer John Shirreffs noted that the 4-year-old son of Union Rags had kicked his hock during schooling for the Classic at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, Calif. Saturday, the injured area had “minor swelling,” which led to the decision to scratch.
Owned by C R K Stable LLC, Express Train has two wins in seven starts in 2021, with his other victory coming in the Grade 2 San Pasqual at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif. He was third behind Medina Spirit and Stilleto Boy, both also in the field for the Classic, in the Grade 3 Awesome Again in early October.
With Express Train's scratch, the field for the G1 Breeders' Cup Classic is down to eight, with Knicks Go the morning line favorite for the 1 1/4-mile race.
Express Train scratched from @BreedersCup Classic. Shirreffs said he kicked hock schooling and it “didn't come around quickly.” Minor swelling, no fracture.
— Jay Privman (@DRFPrivman) November 6, 2021
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