NEWS
Gitano Hernando, Rail Trip pulled
from Breeders’ Cup Classic
Posted: Wednesday, October 21, 2009 9:31 AM
GITANO HERNANDO
Benoit & Associates photo
The Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) lost two proven contenders on the synthetic Pro-Ride surface at Santa Anita Park with the defections of Gitano Hernando (GB) and Rail Trip on October 20.
English-based trainer Marco Botti and owners Team Valor International and Gary Barber decided not to wheel back Gitano Hernando, who sprung an 18-to-1 upset on October 10 in the Goodwood Stakes (G1), the major Classic prep at Santa Anita.
Since Gitano Hernando is not nominated to the Breeders’ Cup, his owners faced $250,000 in nomination and entry fees to make him eligible for the $5-million Classic. He will instead return to Botti’s stable in Newmarket and prepare for the Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1), which will carry a $10-million purse and be run on a synthetic surface for the first time next March at the new Meydan Racecourse.
“The colt just ran too hard last time, and we don’t feel comfortable bringing him back in a month,” said Barry Irwin, Team Valor’s principal. “We feel that he is a prime candidate for the World Cup in Dubai next spring and that the risk to the colt by running him back at such a high level next time is too great, and we don’t want to do anything to compromise his future.”
TVG/Betfair Hollywood Gold Cup Handicap (G1) winner Rail Trip has been battling foot trouble since his third-place finish to Richard’s Kid in the Pacific Classic Stakes (G1) on September 6. Trainer Ron Ellis tried to get him ready for the Classic without another prep.
Ellis told Daily Racing Form that he and owners Mace and Samantha Siegel decided to pull the plug when Rail Trip had to miss a scheduled workout on Tuesday at Hollywood Park. The Jump Start gelding will now get some time off.
Rail Trip scored by three lengths in the Hollywood Gold Cup on July 11 for his first graded stakes victory. He also won the Santana Mile Handicap at Santa Anita and finished second in the Californian Stakes (G2) and Mervyn Leroy Handicap (G2) at Hollywood Park.
"A foot bruise won't have any lingering effect on the future,” Ellis told Daily Racing Form. “We've had a good year with this guy."
