Afleet Alex will miss the Breeders' Cup.
Trainer Tim Ritchey and veterinarian Patricia Hogan said today Afleet Alex's injured leg is still in the healing process and he will not be ready for the Oct. 29 Breeders' Cup Classic – Powered by Dodge (gr. I).In a joint statement posted on Afleet Alex's website, Ritchey and Hogan stated: "Recently, Alex was cleared for speed work and responded with two very impressive breezes. This was a test to see if there was a possibility of returning to racing within the scope of the Breeders' Cup races. All involved with Alex agreed that if that was to be a possibility, then the healing process was to have been completed 100% for this to be considered. After the recent works, Alex was radiographed again, and although it is very subtle, it is evident that bone is still in the end stages of the healing process. We are 99% there, but for this horse we require 100%."The horse is doing very well clinically and has progressed remarkably well. He will remain in training. We feel it is in Alex's best interests to miss the Breeders' Cup. Unfortunately, the timing is just a little too close to demand the enormous athletic effort that would be required to race at that elite level of competition. Although perhaps a disappointment for racing, it is only a temporary one. The prognosis remains excellent for a return to Alex's elite level of competition."In his two works since returning from his injury, Afleet Alex, owned by Cash is King Stable, turned in bullet works of :59 4/5 and :46 flat.It was hoped to run him in an overnight handicap at Belmont Park Friday, but the race didn't fill, and Alex was scheduled to run instead in the six-furlong Vincent Moscarelli Memorial Handicap at Delaware Park Oct. 15 or possibly Keeneland's Perryville Stakes (gr. III) Oct. 14. But those plans have now been canceled.Ritchey said that there is a possibility Afleet Alex can still make the Cigar Mile (gr. I) at Aqueduct on Nov. 26.
