Firing Line Suffers Another Setback
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Photo: Courtesy of Zoe Metz
Firing Line
Arnold Zetcher's Firing Line has hit another speed bump on his path to a potential run in the Breeders' Cup.
Trainer Simon Callaghan Aug. 21 said he will scratch the 4-year-old Line of David colt from the $75,000 Harry F. Brubaker Stakes Aug. 24 because of a minor injury.
"He's just a bit tight behind," Callaghan said. "It looks like a muscle thing. He's sound, but it's something small."
Callaghan said he will likely try to find a stakes prep at Santa Anita Park for Firing Line before considering a run in the Breeders' Cup. The colt ran fifth in a conditional allowance race at Santa Anita July 9, his first start following surgery to remove bone chips in both of his front legs, but the trainer said after the race that Firing Line "scoped dirty and had lots of mucous."
"He has been so, so good," Callaghan said of Firing Line's preparations for the Brubaker. "His last work was exceptional, but today we gave him his usual walk and jog day and something didn't travel as good. We've been getting quite a few little things like that with a couple horses."