The Breeders' Cup lost a pair of expected runners when Appealing Tale (Tale of the Cat) and Sticksstatelydude (First Dude) were ruled out of championship weekend with injuries. Trainer Peter Miller reported GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile contender Appealing Tale came out of his work Saturday with an injured ankle.
“I left there Saturday morning thinking I would win the Dirt Mile and he's out of the race on Monday,” said Miller. “He re-injured his right front ankle, the one we took a chip out of a couple of years ago. We've haven't decided yet what to do.”
GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile contender Sticksstatelydue was also ruled out of Saturday's race.
“He has a minor tendon sheath strain,” trainer Greg Burchell said Monday morning. “It is not career-ending, but our veterinarian Dr. [Otis] Cheney recommended he not run and we will go with that. It's unfortunate, but we're just grateful that it wasn't something more serious.”
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