Race officials said a 3-year-old horse died Tuesday morning in a suspected cardiac event at Santa Anita Park during a workout preparing for the Breeders’ Cup.
Practical Move was 3-1 and the second choice on the morning line for the $1 million Dirt Mile at the Breeders’ Cup, set for Saturday at Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif.
His rider was uninjured, Breeders’ Cup officials said in a statement. California Horse Racing Board veterinarians responded to the colt.
The horse, trained by Tim Yakteen, had five wins in eight career starts but was scratched from the Kentucky Derby in May with a fever.
Later Tuesday, Belmont Stakes winner Arcangelo withdrew from the Classic to reduce the field in the $6 million event to 11. Kentucky Derby winner Mage previously dropped out of the Breeders’ Cup due to a fever.
Arcangelo was treated for a left hind foot injury and was unable to work out the past two days. Trainer Jena Antonucci had the shoe on that foot removed last weekend but said the team ran out of time to get Arcangelo, listed with 7-2 odds on the morning line, ready for Saturday.
“He’s not fully resolving and we’re running out of time. As we’ve talked about from day one, this will always be horse first, no matter absolutely what,” Antonucci said in an interview with TVG.
Geaux Rocket Ride was scheduled to run in the $6 million Classic but also withdrew last week because of injury.
–Field Level Media
