Breeders' Cup Classic is down to 8 after late scratch

Del Mar, Calif.

The 2021 Breeders’ Cup Classic is down to a field of eight after Express Train was scratched from the race on Saturday morning.

Trainer John Shirreffs said his star 4-year-old developed swelling in his right hock.

“He was schooling in the paddock three days ago and he got a little playful, jumping around and kicked himself,” Shirreffs told Horse Racing Nation.

“He’ll be fine with a little more time, and we plan on running him next year,” Shirreffs said.

The news was first reported by Jay Privman of Daily Racing Form via a social media post. 

Express Train, who was to be ridden by Hall of Famer Victor Espinoza, was 20-1 on the morning line .

The colt, who was scheduled to start from the second post position, ran third in his most recent trip, the Awesome Again (G1) at Santa Anita. In July, he won the San Diego Handicap (G2) at Del Mar and in January he earned a victory in the San Pasqual (G2) at Santa Anita.

The Breeders' Cup Classic is scheduled to go to post at 8:40 p.m. EDT.

Also on Saturday, Arrest Me Red was scratched from the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint.

"We had a little foot issue and changed the horse’s shoes,” trainer Wesley Ward told the Breeders' Cup communications team. “It kept getting better, but we erred on the side of caution.”

The 3-year-old Pioneerof the Nile colt was 2-for-2 this year, with wins in the listed Mahony Stakes at Saratoga in August and the Belmont Turf Sprint (G3) on Oct. 2.