Winchester Unlikely for Breeders' Cup Turf

Trainer Christophe Clement said Saturday morning that Mr. and Mrs. Bertram Firestone’s Winchester, winner of the Grade 1 Sword Dancer Invitational, was unlikely to run in the Breeders’ Cup Turf.

The trainer said he was not happy with the results of an endoscopic examination performed after the 6-year-old horse worked four furlongs Saturday in 50.62 in company with Grassy (51.00), who is headed to the Grade 2 Red Smith Saturday at Aqueduct Racetrack.

“Winchester had a dirty scope after the breeze,” said Clement. “I do not like the fact the horse did not have a good, clean scope after the breeze and I do not like to put pressure on the horse. So most probably we will regroup. Mr. Firestone is leaning against running, and passing on the race, because he is not comfortable running the horse after a dirty scope.”

The trainer reported that Gio Ponti, headed to the Breeders’ Cup Mile, came out of Wednesday’s breeze in good order and galloped 1 ¼ miles on the Belmont Park training track Saturday morning. He is scheduled to fly to Kentucky on Tuesday.