Mind Control scratched from Keeneland's Breeders' Futurity

Mind Control, the 7-2 morning line favorite in Saturday’s Grade 1, $500,000 Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland, has scratched out of the race with a fever, trainer Greg Sacco said by phone in New Jersey Saturday morning.

“It was unfortunate. We flew into Lexington on Tuesday morning. He took the trip great. Trained Wednesday, jogged Wednesday morning,” Sacco said. “Everything was super. Galloped on Thursday and yesterday morning – temperature checked every day – it was slightly elevated. He acted good. We pulled two bloods on him and both came back negative.”

Sacco’s brother and Red Oak Stable racing manager, Richard Sacco, reported that the horse was in good shape Saturday morning, but the trainer said, “we just couldn’t take any chances at running him.”

Sacco added Mind Control’s temperature lingered around 101 and 102 degrees Friday. While nothing could be pinpointed, Sacco said rain in the Lexington area following Mind Control’s arrival rattled the Keeneland barn and caused a little bit of flooding in the stable area.

Mind Control, also owned by Sol Kumin’s Madaket Stables won the Hopeful Stakes (G1) at Saratoga this summer. Connections had decided on the Breeders’ Futurity over the Champagne Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park so the colt could get a two-turn test.

Sacco said Mind Control will fly back to Monmouth Park Sunday morning and continue to train from his home track for the Nov. 2 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1).