Jack Christopher , scratched from the Nov. 5 TVG Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (G1), will be evaluated next week in Kentucky by renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Larry Bramlage, said Bradley Weisbord, racing manager for some of the colt’s connections.
The Chad Brown-trained 2-year-old, owned by Jim Bakke, Gerald Isbister, Coolmore Stud, and Peter Brant, was scratched on the advice of Breeders’ Cup veterinarians because of a “minor left shin,” Weisbord said. Breeders’ Cup veterinarians evaluate all participating horses leading up to their races, checking them jogging on track at Del Mar and inspecting them at their barns.
Weisbord mentioned he was together with his shoppers, Bakke and Isbister, when Brown referred to as him round 6 p.m. ET Nov. 4, informing him that Breeders’ Cup officers “weren’t going to let (the colt) run.” Weisbord referred to as the information “gut-wrenching.”
Jack Christopher turned the second scratch for Brown this week, following Klaravich Stables’ Domestic Spending removal from the Nov. 6 Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1T).
Weisbord said he was understanding of the close evaluation given to Breeders’ Cup participants and was surprised at the news, noting that Jack Christopher had not had any other physical setbacks this year.
“We clearly do not wish to put the horse in danger. (Chad’s) the highest coach on the earth, and in the event that they consider that he should not run, there isn’t any motive to ask extra questions than that,” Weisbord mentioned.
Based on Weisbord, even earlier than this week’s setback, plans had referred to as for 45 days’ relaxation for the Munnings colt following the Breeders’ Cup before a resumption of light training with lay-up trainer Paul Sharp in Florida.
