Multiple grade 1-winning California-bred sprinter The Chosen Vron will not participate in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) at Del Mar Nov. 2.
The news was first announced on X by Xpressbet TV’s Zoe Cadman, who received the news from co-owner John Sondereker. Sondereker Racing owns the 6-year-old Vronsky gelding in partnership with trainer Eric Kruljac, Robert Fetkin, and Richard Thornburgh.
“We’re out of the race, but the horse is 100% sound,” Kruljac told BloodHorse Oct. 22. “The track vets looked at him before, thought he was off. Some Breeders’ Cup vet came in and said he was unsound, and there’s nothing we can do about it.”
The Chosen Vron had recorded a four-furlong workout in :48 4/5 at Santa Anita Park Oct. 19, but was placed on the California Horse Racing Board’s Veterinarian’s List for “unsoundness” Oct 21. CHRB equine medical director Dr. Jeff Blea confirmed that The Chosen Vron was placed on the vet’s list, but said he did not have a reason.
According to Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority Rule 2241 (a)(1), covered horses placed on the veterinarian’s list for unsoundness must remain on the list for a minimum of 14 days.
Sign up for BloodHorse Daily
Horses on the veterinarian’s list cannot record official workouts or enter into races until declared to be in sound health by the attending veterinarian and the regulatory veterinarian following the minimum time. The Chosen Vron’s 14 days would not expire until, at the earliest, Nov. 4, two days after the Sprint.
(L-R): Trainer Eric Kruljac congratulates jockey Hector Berrios after The Chosen Vron’s victory in the San Carlos Stakes at Santa Anita Park
“I’ve had this horse since he was born, and he’s 100% sound,” Kruljac said. “He had some issues way back as a new 3-year-old. We did a little surgery, cleaned up a stifle. We’ve had nothing but a dead-sound horse ever since. He’s never taken a bad step. He’s the soundest horse I’ve ever trained.
“I know my horse, he’s sound. He just has a little funny way of going. They interpreted that as lame, but he’ll go down there and go 1:08 and change every time.”
Fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint one year ago, The Chosen Vron earned an automatic, fees-paid berth to the race through the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series by winning the July 27 Bing Crosby Stakes (G1) at Del Mar for the second straight year. He recently finished second to Raging Torrent in the Pat O’Brien Stakes (G2) at Del Mar on Aug. 24, only his second defeat in his last 16 starts.
As one of the premier racing events in the U.S. that is broadcast to a national audience, contenders in Breeders’ Cup races are under intense veterinary scrutiny in the lead-up to the event. Scratches and withdrawals have been relatively common over the last few years.
“We have to live with it,” Kruljac said. “We’ll keep our cards close to our chest for now. We might send him out of the country. I don’t want to expound any further on where. In any case, we’ve had a great run with the horse. You can’t fight City Hall, regardless of how ridiculous they are.”
Dora Delgado, executive vice president and chief racing officer for Breeders’ Cup, did not immediately return a phone message seeking comment, nor did Dr. Will Farmer, a Breeders’ Cup veterinary team leader.
Pete Denk contributed to this story.
Leave feedback about this