Game Winner Out of Travers

Game Winner | Benoit

Champion and multiple Grade I winner Game Winner (Candy Ride {Arg}) has come down with a virus and will miss a scheduled start in the GI Runhappy Travers S. Aug. 24, according to trainer Bob Baffert.

“We're still absorbing the disappointment,” said Baffert. “He's going to be fine, but it's the timing.”

Game Winner posted a six-furlong breeze in 1:12 flat Tuesday at Del Mar, but Baffert said the Gary and Mary West colorbearer was not being his usual self Thursday morning.

“He worked great, but [Thursday] he had a little temperature,” said Baffert. “There's been a little virus going through the barn. He was my second one this week. I hope it stays away from the others.”

Game Winner, who rode a trio of Grade I victories, including a score in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile, to champion 2-year-old male honors at the Eclipse Awards, was winless in his first three starts as a sophomore before dominating the GIII Los Alamitos Derby last out July 13. Baffert said it was uncertain where the colt would run next.

“It's too bad because he couldn't be doing better right now,” the Hall of Fame trainer commented. “I haven't thought about anything now.”

Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.

Copy Article Link

X

Never miss another story from the TDN

Click Here to sign up for a free subscription.