Imperador Among Early Withdrawals From Breeders' Cup

Paulo Lobo's group of Breeders' Cup hopefuls dipped from three to two the morning of Oct. 28.

The Kentucky-based trainer said Thursday that Imperador , an automatic qualifier for the Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T) Nov. 6 at Del Mar, would not travel to California after not galloping to his satisfaction Thursday. Further evaluation is planned Oct. 29.

"What can we do? It's the business," Lobo said of the changing health of horses.

His other two prospects, In Love  and Ivar  remain pointed to the FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile Presented by PDJF (G1T). Both grade 1-winning milers are owned by Bonne Chance Farm and Stud R D I, as is Imperador.

In Love and Ivar finished first and fourth, respectively, in the Keeneland Turf Mile Stakes (G1T) at Keeneland Oct. 9. The jockeys that rode them that day, Alex Achard and Joe Talamo, respectively—retain the mounts in the Breeders' Cup, Lobo said.

The previous year, Ivar won the race when it was called the Shadwell Turf Mile. He later ran fourth in the Breeders' Cup Mile.

"Both came back well from the Keeneland (Turf) Mile," Lobo said. "They are training well, happy, eating. Everything looks very well."

Ivar was announced as the first alternate for the Mile yesterday afternoon but quickly gained entrance when defending champion Order of Australia  was retired due to injury later in the day.

Daily Racing Form's Marcus Hersh first reported on social media Imperador's defection from the Turf.

The withdrawal of Imperador, winner of the Calumet Turf Cup Stakes (G2T) at Kentucky Downs, opens up a position for an alternate to draw into the field before final entries are made and post positions drawn Nov. 1. There was an oversubscribed field at the time of pre-entries, leaving eight alternates in need of defections to gain entrance.

Japan , the first alternate in the Turf, now has a starting position, with Tribhuvan  next in line.

According to tweets from the Breeders' Cup, other horses removed from Breeders' Cup consideration include Diamond Wow  and Zain Claudette  from the Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1T), allowing first and second alternates Haughty  and Helens Well  into the race. La Joconde  is also out of the Maker's Mark Filly & Mare Turf (G1T), leaving alternate Acanella  with a starting position.

Tribhuvan could also gain a slot in the Turf if trainer Aidan O'Brien opts to run the cross-entered Love  in the Filly & Mare Turf rather than the Turf, O'Brien's first preference at the time of pre-entries. With stablemate La Joconde out, Love is O'Brien's only opportunity for a starter in the Filly & Mare Turf, though its $2 million purse is half that of the $4 million Turf.