The Emirates Airline Breeders’ Cup Turf (gr. IT) lost one of its contenders Oct. 29 when Mr. and Mrs. Bertram Firestone’s Winchester was taken out of consideration following a workout at Belmont Park.
Trainer Christophe Clement said the horse did not scope well following a half-mile workout on the inner turf course in :50.62, according to Breeders’ Cup officials. The time was fourth-best of eight working the distance.
A Virginia-bred son of Theatrical out of the Spectrum mare Rum Charger, Winchester has raced three times this year. He has a win in the Sword Dancer Invitational (gr. IT), a second in the Stars and Stripes (gr. IIIT), and, most recently, a fifth-place finish in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational (gr. IT) on yielding turf Oct. 1 at Belmont Park.
Overall, Winchester, fourth in the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Turf at Churchill Downs, has compiled a record of six wins, six seconds, and two thirds, with earnings of $1,572,498.