The injury that will keep Acclamation from defending his title in the Grade 1
Pacific Classic has been determined to be a “mild strain” of a ligament in the
area of the left front pastern.
“It’s not serious. It’s not career-ending, at least we don’t think so right
now,” owner E.W. “Bud ” Johnston said Thursday morning. “But it’s something that
makes it impossible to train on it for a short period of time at least.
“We’ve been very fortunate with him and we were really looking forward to the
race. But we’re hoping that maybe we can meet those guys (Pacific Classic
rivals) in the Breeders’ Cup.”
The Don Warren-trained Acclamation, the reigning Eclipse Award winner in the
Older Male category, is a candidate for either the $3 million Breeders’ Cup Turf
or $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita on November 3.
“I’m sorry for Del Mar,” Johnston said. “He’s a very popular horse and he
would have brought interest to the race and some people to the grandstand. And
it’s just nice to have those kinds of horses in a race.”
There is no timetable, Johnston said, for a return to training or racing. “We
have to keep a close watch, and he’ll tell us when he’s ready,” Johnston said.
“We can’t say one way or the other, but he’s not lame or anything, he’s acting
fine this morning, and I think he’ll be back.”
With Acclamation out, Grade 2-winning stablemate Norvsky was nominated to the
Pacific Classic, Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap and Grade 2 Del Mar Mile — races that
will be held on August 25 and 26 — and a decision will be made on which race
next week.
“We’re probably leaning toward the mile (Del Mar Mile on August 26), but
we’ll see what the races look like and consider our options,” Johnston said.
“He’s doing really well right now.”
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