Buetane will not contest Holy Bull after flight is canceled

Buetane will not race in the Grade 3 Holy Bull on Saturday at Gulfstream after his flight to Florida was canceled.

Baffert confirmed to Horse Racing Nation via text message on Monday that Buetane will not go to the Holy Bull because of the flight being canceled. He is cross-entered in the Southwest (G3) at Oaklawn on Saturday, though his ability to make it to Arkansas for that race also will depend on flight availability.

Buetane also is among 11 nominees for the Robert B. Lewis (G3) on Feb. 7 at Santa Anita, a race to which Baffert also nominated Desert Gate, Kristofferson, Litmus Test and Plutarch.

A $1.15 million son of Tiz the Law owned by Zedan Racing Stables, Buetane was most recently second in the seven-furlong San Vicente on Jan. 10 at Santa Anita, two lengths behind So Happy.

David Grening of Daily Racing Form also reported Monday that Game For It is likely to be scratched from the Holy Bull to run in the Sam F. Davis at Tampa Bay Downs on Feb. 7. Trained by Chad Summers, the son of 2021 Florida Derby (G1) winner Known Agenda won his debut in a maiden special weight sprint at Aqueduct and would be facing winners for the first time in his stakes debut.

This leaves the Holy Bull with a likely field of seven, led by 2025 Street Sense (G3) winner Incredibolt, Gulfstream allowance winner Nearly and emphatic Churchill Downs maiden special weight winner Cannoneer. The race is the first of three Kentucky Derby points races during the winter meet at Gulfstream, and offers 20-10-6-4-2 points to the top five finishers.