Algiers, Get Smokin Among Breeders' Cup Scratches

In addition to the Oct. 31 withdrawal of Arcangelo  from the Nov. 4 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Santa Anita Park, other scratches have been reported in the last 24 hours by Breeders' Cup officials.

Defections from Future Stars Friday on Nov. 3 include Ecoro Neo  from the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) and Liam's Journey  from the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1T). On Saturday, Get Smokin  is out of the Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T) and Practical Move and Algiers  will not compete in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1).

Practical Move died from a suspected cardiac event Tuesday at Santa Anita.

Perez: Practical Move Dies of Apparent Cardiac Event

King: Arcangelo Scratched From Breeders' Cup Classic

Horses are under tight veterinary oversight at the Breeders' Cup, and it is standard for scratches to occur.

Most of the recent withdrawals were longshots, with Algiers, trained by Simon Crisford for Rabbah Bloodstock, one of the more popular choices at 6-1 on the morning line for the Dirt Mile. Rishi Persaud with FanDuel TV reported on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, that the 6-year-old gelding had some heat in a right front leg.

We check in with @RishiPersad1 on the news of ALGIERS being out of the @BreedersCup dirt Mile. pic.twitter.com/sjlWyeBCcE

— TVG (@TVG) November 1, 2023

A dual group 2 stakes winner on dirt at Meydan early in the year, the gelded son of Shamardal  had been second in the Dubai World Cup (G1) in March and then returned with another runner-up finish when sent to North America to run in the Oct. 7 Durham Cup (G3) at Woodbine.

A field of just seven remains for the Dirt Mile, in which fan favorite Cody's Wish   will bid for a second consecutive triumph in the two-turn contest. The Godolphin-owned 5-year-old Curlin   horse won the Dirt Mile last year at Keeneland for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott.

Get Smokin, winner of the Sept. 9 Kentucky Turf Cup Stakes (G2T) at Kentucky Downs for owners BlackRidge Stables, Ironhorse Racing Stable, Saratoga Seven Racing Partners, and T-N-T Equine Holdings, was pulled from competition in the Turf. Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse described Get Smokin as having "old ankles."

"He aggravated it a little, on a scale of 1 to 10, probably a 1, but we're not going to take any chances," Casse said of the 6-year-old Got Stormy  gelding. "So he'll be back for next year."

He said the plan would be to aim for a second consecutive win in the Kentucky Turf Cup, presumably with a series of races before that September race.

Updated Breeders' Cup scratches can be found on X.