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West Wind Blows Withdrawn From HK Vase With Injury

Abdulla Al Mansoori's West Wind Blows (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), a multiple group winner, has been withdrawn from the G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase after sustaining an injury to his left foreleg, the Hong Kong Jockey Club announced on Saturday.

Successful in the 2022 G3 Prix du Prince d'Orange and 2023 G3 La Coupe, the 4-year-old gelding is trained by Ed and Simon Crisford. Also placed in Sandown's G1 Eclipse, West Wind Blows has had a fruitful campaign Down Under this season, running second in both the G1 Turnbull S. this October and in the G1 Caulfield Cup later that month. He was ninth in his final Australian start, the G1 Champions S. at Flemington on Nov. 11.

The statement from the Department of Veterinary Regulation, Welfare & Biosecurity Policy read, “Upon examination this afternoon, West Wind Blows has an injury to the left fore leg and accordingly has been withdrawn from the Longines Hong Kong Vase on veterinary advice.”

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After Graphics Error, NYRA Starters Run For Purse Money Only

A brief glitch in the NYRA graphics package that covered the days scratches resulted in Striking Melody (Majestic City) running for purse money only, by order of the stewards, in Saturday's first race at Aqueduct.

At 10:32 a.m., 77 minutes before post time for the first race, Striking Melody was listed as a scratch in graphics that appeared in the upper right hand corner of NYRA's television feed. The listing of the scratch appeared for about two seconds before it came off the screen and at no other point during the day was the horse listed as scratched. In addition, the listing of the scratch appeared as track announcer John Imbriale was announcing scratches for the first race. Imbriale never mentioned Striking Melody but did announce that the six horse, Caribbean Breeze (Mendelssohn) was scratched.

But what appeared to be an innocuous mistake was taken seriously by the stewards, who withdrew Striking Melody from the wagering. In addition, with the horse scheduled to run as an entry with Our Rosie Diamonds (Bellamy Road), both horses ran as non-betting interests.

Our Rosie Diamonds finished third and Striking Melody was seventh.

NYRA management said they were frustrated by the decision.

The graphics error appeared for about two seconds, as shown in the clip below.

“At some point, common sense has to come into play,” said a NYRA official who asked not to be named.

NYRA officials estimated that the move by the stewards resulted in a loss of handle between $150,000 and $200,000.

“NYRA would certainly welcome the opportunity to fully review the circumstances of this matter with the Board of Stewards,” said NYRA spokesperson Pat McKenna.

Braulio Baeza Jr., the steward representing the New York Gaming Commission, did not return a phone call seeking comment.

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Hit the Road Out of BC Mile

Grade I winner Hit the Road (More Than Ready) has been scratched from Saturday's GI Breeders' Cup Mile due to a fever, trainer Dan Blacker announced via Twitter Friday.

“Sad to report we have to scratch Hit The Road from Breeders' Cup Mile as he has a fever,” Blacker tweeted. “So disappointed for his great group of owners. Unbelievably bad timing and bad luck. We will get him healthy, regroup and point for the next race.”

Winner of the GI Frank E. Kilroe Mile and GIII Thunder Road S. earlier this year, Hit the Road was most recently third in the GII City of Hope Mile S. Oct. 2.

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Ava’s Grace Out of Oaks

Cypress Creek Equine's Ava's Grace (Laoban), runner-up to Pauline's Pearl (Tapit) in the GIII Fantasy S. earlier this month, will scratch from Friday's GI Kentucky Oaks, according to a tweet from Churchill Downs. The tweet went on to say trainer Robertino Diodoro was not pleased with her current condition. Daily Racing Form's David Grening reported the filly's right shoulder is the concern. A nuclear scan is being scheduled.

In addition to her Fantasy placing, Ava's Grace was third in last summer's GII Adirondack S. She was 50-1 on the morning line for the Oaks. David Cohen was scheduled to ride.

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