The opening day of the Santa Anita meet saw a number of scratches from the stakes races, including some key horses. Bentornato, Tamara, and others were scratched from their respective races for various reasons. Here’s a breakdown of who was scratched and why, along with other important race details.
Bentornato Scratched from the Grade 1 Malibu
Bentornato, who was listed as the second choice for Thursday’s Grade 1 Malibu, was scratched by his trainer, Jose D’Angelo. The 3-year-old ridgling had a sore left foot, which D’Angelo described as a minor issue. Bentornato was 3-1 on the morning line, behind only the Kentucky Derby winner, Mystik Dan. It was a disappointing decision for fans who were excited to see him compete in one of the most prestigious races of the day. D’Angelo remains hopeful that Bentornato will recover quickly.
Senior Officer Also Scratched from Malibu
Another scratch from the Grade 1 Malibu was Senior Officer, an Into Mischief colt trained by Brad Cox. Senior Officer was listed as 5-1 on the morning line and was scheduled for his third career start. Unfortunately, he was scratched from the race, leaving his fans and connections disappointed. Brad Cox confirmed the scratch, and while the reason for the withdrawal wasn’t immediately clear, it adds to the list of unexpected changes for the race.
Tamara Scratched from the La Brea Stakes
Tamara, the 3-year-old filly trained by Richard Mandella, was also scratched from her scheduled start in the La Brea (G1). Tamara was coming back from a one-year layoff and was an 8-1 contender on the morning line. Mandella explained that Tamara developed a slight fever, though her bloodwork showed no serious issues. He made the decision to scratch her to ensure her health and safety. While disappointing, Mandella and Tamara’s connections are hopeful for a healthy return to racing in the near future.
Other Scratches from Opening-Day Stakes
Several other horses were scratched from stakes races at Santa Anita. In addition to Tamara and Bentornato, horses like Ultimate Authority and Cavalieri were also scratched from the La Brea. In the Mathis Mile (G2), Atitlan had a jockey change, and Curlin’s Kaos was scratched by a veterinarian. The stakes races at Santa Anita are highly competitive, and any changes to the lineup can shift the odds and expectations for fans and bettors.
Why Do Scratches Happen?
Scratches like these are common in horse racing for several reasons, including injury, illness, or other health concerns. Trainers and veterinarians work closely to ensure the horses are fit to race, and when there are any signs of issues, horses are scratched to protect their well-being. While disappointing, it’s important for the health of the animals that these decisions are made with care.
Santa Anita’s opening day featured a number of scratches, with Bentornato, Tamara, and others missing out on their races for various reasons. While these withdrawals were unfortunate for fans, they are a part of the sport as trainers and veterinarians prioritize the health and safety of the horses. Hopefully, the scratched horses will recover quickly and be back on the track soon, giving fans something to look forward to in the future.
Visit Home