Belterra Out of Breeders' Cup, Future Wagering Suspended

Belterra, who ran third in the Ashland Stakes (gr. I) and Bonnie Miss Stakes (gr. II), is being taken out of training and will miss the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships.

"We are not going to run in the Breeders' Cup this year," said trainer Carl Nafzger on Friday morning. "We're going to rest her for 60 days and start all over." Nafzger said she won't start again this year.

It has been a tough year for the 3-year-old daughter of Unbridled, who is owned by Robert Manfuso. She was headed for the Coaching Club American Oaks Stakes (gr. I) at Belmont Park, but wa scratched when she came down with a fever. Her racing campaign was interrupted earlier this year by throat surgery. Nafzger decided it was best to focus on next year.

As a result of the announcement, future wagering on Belterra in the Breeders' Cup Distaff (gr. I) has been suspended. The filly was #7 in the program for the Breeders' Cup Future Bet Race #2 (Distaff). A total of $143 at odds of 40-1 had been bet on the filly when betting was suspended.

"With the decision of the connections of Belterra to take the filly out of training, the best and required course of action is to suspend all wagering on her in the Distaff Pool," said Ken Kirchner. Breeders' Cup senior vice president for product development.

"However, all bets on Belterra up to this point are still valid wagers and should be held on to through the end of the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships on October 26, 2002," he added.

Bettors won't be holding their tickets in hopes of seeing a refund. Illinois Racing Board rules state: No refund shall be issued for Future Wager pool wagers on betting interests that do not start or finish the race. No cancellations shall be permitted once the patron has left the window. If the organization licensee is notified that a betting interest is unable to start the race and the pool is still open, the organization licensee shall immediately suspend betting on that betting interest.

Wagering on the three Breeders' Cup Future Bets for the Breeders' Cup Distaff as well as the Breeders' Cup Classic and Breeders' Cup Sprint continues through 7 p.m. (Eastern Time) on Sunday, July 7.

As of 3 p.m. Friday, the total pool for the three races was $33,819. The Classic pool was $17,025 with Street Cry the 2-1 favorite and the field at 10-1. The Distaff pool was $8,481 with the field favored at 6-1. The Sprint pool totaled $8,313 with Officer the favorite at 7-1 and the field at 10-1.