Beholder spikes fever, out of Vanity

Beholder also has an elevated white blood cell count, reminiscent of her illness that ruled her out of the BC last fall (Benoit Photo)

Two-time champion Beholder (Henny Hughes) will miss her highly anticipated
showdown with Warren’s Veneda (Affirmative) in Saturday’s Vanity H. (G1) after
spiking a fever, according to published reports Thursday.

“She’s fighting something, so she’s out of the race,” Hall of Fame trainer
Richard Mandella told Blood-Horse‘s Jeremy Balan.

Mandella revealed that Beholder’s temperature rose to 102.6 degrees, and
blood work found her white blood cell count was elevated. The five-year-old mare
is being treated with antibiotics.

Her trainer later issued a positive bulletin to Santa Anita’s publicity team.

“I think she’s fine,” Mandella said. “By end of morning she looked bright and
was asking for her feed later on.”

Last fall, Beholder had also been ruled out of a title defense in the
Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) due to illness. The Spendthrift Farm colorbearer did
not reappear until the April 10 Santa Lucia, where she hacked up by 3 3/4
lengths.

Beholder has compiled a record of 16-11-3-0, $3,416,600.

In Beholder’s absence, Warren’s Veneda will be an overwhelming favorite
against just three rivals in the 1 1/8-mile Vanity at Santa Anita.