Sprint favorite Vekoma spikes fever and is out of Breeders’ Cup
Vekoma, the millionaire colt that was the favorite for the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, will be scratched from Saturday’s $2 million race, his trainer confirmed Wednesday morning.
“He spiked a fever last night and was treated by our veterinarian,” George Weaver said in a text message to HRN. “He didn’t train this morning and will miss the race.”
The 4-year-old Candy Ride colt was established at 3-1 on the morning line for the six-furlong championship at Keeneland. He also was best-priced as a 7-2 favorite in foreign futures. This was largely on the strength of his most recent race, the July 4 Met Mile at Belmont Park, where he produced his second consecutive Grade 1 victory.
After two months off, Vekoma got back to weekly breezes in September and punctuated his preparation for the Breeders’ Cup with two bullet workouts the last two weeks at Saratoga’s Oklahoma track. Despite a delayed flight, he nonetheless made it to Kentucky this week only to be diagnosed with the fever in his temporary home Tuesday night.
“The horse had been doing fantastic, and I felt that it was destiny for him to run this race and put a crown on this year’s achievements,” Weaver told TVG. “I’m very disappointed, but I’m glad that the horse is going to be OK, and we’re looking forward to seeing his second career.”
Although that hints of immediate retirement, Weaver said it was still possible that Vekoma could get in one more race before he goes to stand as a stallion at Spendthrift Farm, which is just 13 miles from Keeneland.
“We’ll talk with the people at Spendthrift,” Weaver said. “If they wanted to take a shot at something else, it would be up to them.”
Vekoma’s exit makes Yaupon (7-2 morning line, 7-2 in foreign futures) the de facto favorite for the Sprint. Trained by Steve Asmussen, the undefeated 3-year-old Uncle Mo colt has led at every call in his last three races. He will be stepping up to Grade 1 company for the first time.
On even terms on the morning line, C Z Rocket (7-2, 6-1) brings a five-race winning streak into the race for trainer Peter Miller, who is looking for his third win in the Sprint in the last four years.
Lasting Legacy (30-1, 66-1), a 6-year-old Tapizar horse that needed a defection to get into the race, will presumably draw in to make his first start since he was claimed last month for $80,000 by new owners David Bernsen and Jeff Lambert. A black-type stakes winner now trained by Bob Hess, he was part of the March dispersal of horses after the indictment of Jason Servis.