Owner Ken Ramsey said Aug. 16 that trainer Mike Maker discovered some filling in the tendon of multiple graded stakes winner Dark Cove, and the morning line second-choice will scratch from the $400,000 American St. Leger Aug. 17 at Arlington Park.
"We can't take a chance with a horse like that," Ramsey said of the horse he claimed for $50,000. Dark Cove, a 5-year-old son of Medaglia d'Oro , has gone on to win three graded stakes races, including the local prep for the St. Leger—the July 13 Stars and Stripes Stakes (gr. IIIT)
Dark Cove was pegged at 3-1 in the field of eight. His defection leaves Europe-based horses Dandino (9-5) and Wigmore Hall (7-2) as the top two choices from the original morning line.
Ramsey said he would cheer for Team Block's Illinois-bred Suntracer, who is by Ramsey's stallion, Kitten's Joy .
In other St. Leger changes, local jockey Jeffrey Sanchez will replace Quincy Hamilton on Richard Ravin and Patricia's Hope LLC's Ojos de Hielo for trainer Larry Rivelli.