Owner Ken Ramsey said Aug. 16 that trainer Mike Maker discovered some filling in the tendon of multiple graded stakes winner Dark Cove, and the morning line second-choice will scratch from the $400,000 American St. Leger Aug. 17 at Arlington Park.
"We can't take a chance with a horse like that," Ramsey said of the horse he claimed for $50,000. Dark Cove, a 5-year-old son of Medaglia d'Oro, has gone on to win three graded stakes races, including the local prep for the St. Leger—the July 13 Stars and Stripes Stakes (gr. IIIT)
Dark Cove was pegged at 3-1 in the field of eight. His defection leaves Europe-based horses Dandino (9-5) and Wigmore Hall (7-2) as the top two choices from the original morning line.
Ramsey said he would cheer for Team Block's Illinois-bred Suntracer, who is by Ramsey's stallion, Kitten's Joy.
In other St. Leger changes, local jockey Jeffrey Sanchez will replace Quincy Hamilton on Richard Ravin and Patricia's Hope LLC's Ojos de Hielo for trainer Larry Rivelli.