Vitalogy Scratched From Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf

Mere days after having to scratch Maxfield from the TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) at Santa Anita Park due to a foot issue, trainer Brendan Walsh's other Breeders' Cup entry, Vitalogy, was scratched from the Nov. 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Presented by Coolmore America (G1T).

According to Walsh, Vitalogy was scratched based on the view of regulatory veterinarians that examined him, viewing him as potentially unsound. He follows an announced scratch Oct. 31 in which Thais was withdrawn from the Nov. 2 Maker's Mark Filly & Mare Turf (G1T) after failing veterinary exams.

Like Chad Brown, the trainer of Thais, Walsh disagreed with their assessment.

"They're of the opinion the horse doesn't look right, but the horse is the same as he was as long as I've had him," he said.

Walsh declined to state what specific concern the veterinarians had with Vitalogy, a 2-year-old No Nay Never colt that had run second in the Dixiana Bourbon Stakes (G3T) at Keeneland Oct. 6 in his lone start for the trainer. Previously he had been third in the Summer Stakes (G1T) at Woodbine, fourth in the Tattersalls Acomb Stakes (G3) and first in a maiden race overseas for prior trainer Joseph O'Brien. He is owned by Qatar Racing Limited, Marc Detampel and Bottle Rocket Stable.

Dr. Rick Arthur, the California Horse Racing Board's equine medical director, reached via telephone, said he did not have the information necessary on hand to comment on Vitalogy's scratch. He directed questions to track stewards, who confirmed the scratch as one based on the advice of track veterinarians.

As a result of 36 equine deaths from racing or training at the Santa Anita since December, including six during the ongoing autumn meet, racing at the Arcadia, Calif. track has come under heightened scrutiny. Increased veterinary exams became a regular part of training and racing in California this spring, and have grown in scope for the Breeders' Cup. 

Even with the scratch of Vitalogy, a field of 14 remains for the Juvenile Turf, owing to Deviant being able to draw into the race as an also-eligible. Deviant races for owner Red Land Thoroughbreds and trainer Danny Pish, whom Friday named Drayden Van Dyke as his rider, replacing Lane Luzzi, named at the time of entry Oct. 28.

Walsh said both Vitalogy and Maxfield would return to his base in Kentucky after the Breeders' Cup, as scheduled.  Meanwhile, he was left what could have been. 

"It's disappointing, but this game is full of disappointments," he said.