Lady Eli Scratched From Keeneland November After Suffering Lacerations In Breeders' Cup
Ladi Eli gallops at Del Mar Nov. 1
Hill 'n' Dale Farms announced today that 5 time Grade 1 winner Lady Eli will be scratched from their Keeneland November consignment.
Leading Trainer Chad Brown reported that Lady Eli came out of the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1) with lacerations and a puncture wound which have been treated and are being diligently tended to. The injury, though not life-threatening, mandates stall rest for the mare. Based on the current set of circumstances, the owners and trainer believe the best course of action is to scratch Lady Eli from the November Sale.
“After lengthy discussions with Chad Brown following the BC Filly & Mare Turf, we have decided that we are going to scratch Lady Eli from this week's Keeneland November Sale. Unfortunately, Lady Eli was banged around and stepped on from behind heading into the first turn. She suffered a number of significant lacerations to both of her hind legs and she lost one of her hind shoes in the incident. The fact that she raced another mile and finished the race with these injuries and shoeless is amazing, and a further testament to her toughness and courage. Right now our efforts are focused squarely on trying to get her well again. Putting her through the trials of a sale in her current condition is simply out of the question. As soon as she can travel she will go to John Sikura's Hill 'n' Dale Farm in Lexington KY to rest and recover," reported Jay Hanley and Sol Kumin from Sheep Pond Partners.
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"Lady Eli got pretty banged up on Saturday," reported trainer Chad Brown. "We will continue to do what we've always done for Lady Eli, which is to put her welfare first. She is a horse of a lifetime."
"Though disappointed to scratch one of the greatest turf distaffers of all time, our philosophy at Hill 'n' Dale has always been to put the safety, soundness, and well being of our horses first. We trust the advice of the horse's owner and trainer," said farm owner John G. Sikura.
