Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

Cactus Creek Scratched from Breeders Crown Elim

October 23, 2006

Cactus Creek was scratched out of the eighth race Saturday night, a $25,000 Breeders Crown elimination for sophomore pacing colts. The colt missed the Lasix deadline, which was 6:01 p.m., a standard four hours and fifteen minutes before post time. Both horse and caretaker had been transported from Mohawk to Woodbine earlier in the day with the other Breeders Crown contestants.

The son of Artsplace hails from the Erv Miller Stable and had the rail in the ten-horse field. He was one of the richest horses in the field ($330,617) and looked to have a solid chance. However, due to the error of a groom, he was scratched.

“We just can’t figure out what went on,” assistant trainer Tony Alagna said. “The caretaker brought the horse over on the lasix truck from Mohawk to Woodbine, the lasix was pre-paid, so he basically just had to stay there with the horse. This caretaker had been with us for a while, had performed this same duty numerous times, and so there was no excuse for Cactus Creek missing his lasix deadline.”

“It’s just a terrible misfortune,” Alagna continued. “Needless to say, the caretaker in question no longer works for us. But it’s heartbreaking to all of us—Erv, myself and especially the owners to have something like this—that is completely avoidable—happen. Erv gave paid the owners their starting fee back, and it’s sickening because this horse was feeling well and for sure he would have given a good account of himself."