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(Edited press release)
Red Giant, who was pre-entered in the Oct. 25 Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. IT), will miss the Breeders' Cup World Championships due to fever and has been retired.
The 4-year-old Giant's Causeway colt was scheduled to breeze this morning at Santa Anita. A routine temperature check showed the colt had a fever and a decision was made by trainer Todd Pletcher and owner John Fort of Peachtree Stable to skip the work and withdraw Red Giant from the race.
“We have been monitoring him closely this morning, and there's been no change,” said Pletcher. “I spoke with John, and the horse will be retired to stud as planned. It’s very disappointing. The Breeders’ Cup was to be his last race.”
Red Giant’s two starts on the turf this year produced wins in the Aug. 3 Fourstardave Handicap (gr. IIT) and Sept. 27 Clement L. Hirsch Memorial Turf Championship Stakes (gr. IT), where he set a world record of 1:57.16 for 1 ¼ on the turf.
Red Giant, who is out of the Kingmambo mare Beyond the Sun, retires with a career record of six wins from 11 starts, including last year’s Virginia Derby (gr. II), and $1,092,410 in earnings.
