Spun to Run to miss Pegasus World Cup with hives outbreak

Trainer Carlos Guerrero said Thursday morning that due to a spreading hives outbreak, Spun to Run will scratch from the Grade 1, $3 million Pegasus World Cup.

Given his tremendous early speed, the 4-year-old son of Hard Spun rated as one of the top threats to Omaha Beach in Saturday's race at Gulfstream Park. But possibly stemming from a recent haircut, the skin disease has moved across Spun to Run, from his belly to his back and now legs.

“A couple of weeks ago, we clipped his hair because he was getting too hot when he trained," Guerrero said, speculating oil or spray on the machine may have contributed to the hives.

It was a case this week of bad -- jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. hopped off to ride Mucho Gusto in the Pegasus -- to worse with the defection.

“I don’t know what got to him," Guerrero said. "I swear, since Irad spurned us, it’s like he knew, because everything went downhill.

“...I just don’t want to hurt him. He’s been too good of a horse to me. I prefer to take him out, fix up whatever that is and go at it again.”

Spun to Run, who upset Omaha Beach for a signature victory in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, is campaigned by Robert Donaldson. The colt went on to be second to Maximum Security in the Cigar Mile (G1) leading up to the Pegasus.

Spun to Run had drawn post No. 9 in the Pegasus and picked up Hall of Fame jockey Javier Castellano. At 7-2 on the morning line, he was the second choice to Omaha Beach, who's now at even money. Barring other defections, 11 contenders will now head postward in the Pegasus.

Guerrero said he's likely to return Spun to Run to his Parx Racing base and the cooler weather to gear back up for a race on the Dubai World Cup night card, likely the Godolphin Mile (G2).

2020 Pegasus World Cup (G1)

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