Irish War Cry to pass on Woodbine Mile; 'I can't risk it'

Trainer Graham Motion said Friday that Irish War Cry, a potential betting favorite making his turf debut in next weekend's Grade 1 Woodbine Mile, will pass on the race.

The 4-year-old son of Curlin was pulled up in his last start, the Grade 1 Stephen Foster Handicap, due to his heat intolerance.

While warm conditions are expected Sept. 15 at Woodbine, it's temperatures at Motion's Fair Hill base in Maryland that will prevent Irish War Cry from entering.

"This weather has completely compromised me these last 10 days from getting him there," Motion said. "I haven't been able to breeze him. It's just been too hot."

Irish War Cry last worked on Aug. 31, the fifth in a series of breezes dating back to the end of July. But when temperatures rise, he suffers from an electrolyte imbalance known as thumps.

Motion said he'll "regroup" with the horse's training now with Aqueduct's Grade 1 Cigar Mile "in the back of my mind as an ultimate goal."

"I'd just better get through this weather," Motion added. "He just doesn't deal with the heat at all, and I can't do it -- I can't risk it after what we went through last time."

Woodbine lists eight horses as probable for the Mile, which carries and $800,000 purse and "Win and You're In" trip to the Breeders' Cup.

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