Fever Knocks Vekoma Out of Breeders' Cup Sprint

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Fever Knocks Vekoma Out of Breeders' Cup Sprint
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Photo: Skip Dickstein
Vekoma heads to the track at Saratoga Race Course earlier this year

Vekoma , the 3-1 morning-line favorite for the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) Nov. 7 at Keeneland, will not compete after developing a fever the evening of Nov. 3, trainer George Weaver said.

The 4-year-old Candy Ride  colt "had to be treated by my veterinarian," Weaver said by telephone Nov. 4. "He missed a day of training today, and it's just impossible for him to run. Disappointing."

News of Vekoma's setback was first reported via Twitter by Daily Racing Form.

Winner of the 1 1/8-mile Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G2) at Keeneland last year at 3, Vekoma developed into a standout performer in one-turn contests this year for owners R. A. Hill Stable and Gatsas Stables. He began his 4-year-old season with a 3 3/4-length victory in the Sir Shackleton Stakes at Gulfstream Park in March before registering back-to-back top-level victories in the Runhappy Carter Handicap (G1) at Aqueduct Racetrack and the Runhappy Metropolitan Handicap (G1) at Belmont Park.


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The $1.2 million earner then missed a summer start in the Forego Stakes Presented by America's Best Racing (G1) at Saratoga Race Course after developing a foot issue and had been training toward his return in the Breeders' Cup. He shipped to Keeneland this week from New York, where he had been breezing at Saratoga.

"Horses spike fevers all the time, especially off ships. Most of the time we never hear about it because they just scratch from a maiden race, an allowance race, you know what I mean," Weaver said. "They're living creatures. They come up with health issues. We've now switched our focus to getting him better as soon as possible and then he can join up with the people over there over at Spendthrift."

Spendthrift Farm acquired the breeding rights in Vekoma this summer, and the colt will stand there next year. A stud fee was not announced by the farm when it released fees last month as they awaited how fared in the Breeders' Cup.

Even without a start in the Sprint, Vekoma is a likely finalist for champion male sprint horse of 2020 based on his accomplishments in the first half of the year. 

Weaver does not anticipate the fever developing into anything more significant than a short setback, albeit one with bad timing.

"He seems fine. We're still waiting for more results back, but he seems stable, happy, comfortable," He said. "I don't anticipate it being a big deal. He just can't run."

The scratch of Vekoma clears the way for the Sprint's lone also-eligible, Lasting Legacy, to draw into the field. A 30-1 longshot, he was claimed from an optional claiming race for $80,000 Oct. 9 at Keeneland, where he ran fourth. He is trained by Bob Hess for owners David Bernsen and Jeffrey Lambert.

The scratch of Vekoma should leave C Z Rocket and Yaupon vying for Sprint favoritism.