Lady Eli Scratched from Keeneland November Sale

Sheep Pond Partners' MGISW Lady Eli (Divine Park) will be withdrawn from Hill 'n' Dale Farm's Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale consignment due to lacerations and a puncture wound suffered during the running of Saturday's GI Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf, the farm announced Sunday. Trainer Chad Brown reported that Lady Eli came out of the race with the injuries, which have been treated and are being treated. The injury, though not life-threatening, mandates stall rest for the mare.

In a statement released Sunday, Sheep Pond Partners' Jay Hanley and Sol Kumin said, “After lengthy discussions with Chad Brown following the BC Filly & Mare Turf, we have decided that we are going to scratch Lady Eli from this week's Keeneland November Sale. Unfortunately, Lady Eli was banged around and stepped on from behind heading into the first turn. She suffered a number of significant lacerations to both of her hind legs and she lost one of her hind shoes in the incident.  The fact that she raced another mile and finished the race with these injuries and shoeless is amazing, and a further testament to her toughness and courage.  Right now, our efforts are focused squarely on trying to get her well again. Putting her through the trials of a sale in her current condition is simply out of the question. As soon as she can travel, she will go to John Sikura's Hill 'n' Dale Farm in Lexington KY to rest and recover.”

Sikura added, “Though disappointed to scratch one of the greatest turf distaffers of all time, our philosophy at Hill 'n' Dale has always been to put the safety, soundness, and well being of our horses first. We trust the advice of the horse's owner and trainer.”

Widely celebrated for her comeback from a bout with Laminitis midway through her 3-year-old season, Lady Eli put forth a memorable 2017 campaign, capturing the GI Gamely S. at Santa Anita May 27 and the GI Diana S. at Saratoga July 22 before adding the GII Ballston Spa S. at Saratoga Aug. 26. She endured a brutal trip at Saturday's World Championships and finished seventh.

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