Lael Stables's Ageless (Successful Appeal) may be forced to miss an expected start in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Keeneland Oct. 31 after cutting her leg during her victory in the Buffalo Trace Franklin County S. Friday. The 6-year-old spent Friday night in the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute in Lexington, where they attended to the cut below her left hock.
“They cleaned the wound and stitched it up,” trainer Arnaud Delacour said. “She will stay at the clinic for four days. Obviously the Breeders' Cup is now in jeopardy.”
Ageless was fourth by just 3/4 of a length in last term's BC Turf Sprint and was looking to make amends this year. She successfully defended her title in Woodbine's GIII Royal North S. July 26 prior to her late-running defeat of the speedy Lady Shipman (Midshipman) in the Buffallo Trace Franklin County.
“TDN Rising Star” Lady Shipman will remain at Keeneland and take her spot in the gate for the BC Turf Sprint as planned.
“She will stay here and be pre-entered [in the Breeders' Cup],” trainer Kathleen O'Connell said. “That's the owner's main goal.”
Pressing from second through sharp early splits in the Buffalo Trace, the sophomore drew clear in the stretch and was caught by Ageless in the shadow of the wire. Prior to that near miss, the chestnut reeled off four consecutive stakes wins at Monmouth Park and Saratoga this summer.
“I think the soft turf got her,” O'Connell said. “She was late switching leads and that cost her some momentum. She was bucking and playing coming back from the spit box and ate up everything last night, so you have to be pleased with that.”
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