Nysos, the 8-5 morning-line favorite for the Grade 1, $1 million Pacific Classic on Saturday at Del Mar, has been scratched due to a hoof issue.
Nysos was scratched because of a bruise to his hind outside quarter, according to a text from trainer Bob Baffert to Horse Racing Nation. Baffert said Nysos was fine early in the morning but noticed the bruise around noon EDT. The scratch was published to Equibase on Saturday afternoon at 12:51 p.m. EDT.
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Baffert said he will re-route Nysos to the Goodwood Stakes (G1), formerly the Awesome Again and California Crown. The 1 1/8-mile race Sept. 27 at Santa Anita is an automatic qualifier for the Breeders' Cup Classic.
The 4-year-old son of Nyquist was coming into the race off of victories in the Triple Bend (G3) and the San Diego Handicap (G2). In his only previous attempt in top-level company, Nysos suffered the only loss of his career to date, a second-place finish by a neck behind Mindframe in the seven-furlong Churchill Downs Stakes (G1) on May 3. Mindframe runs Saturday in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) at Saratoga.
All other Pacific Classic entrants remain in the race as of early Saturday afternoon, including Preakness winner Journalism and 2024 Breeders' Cup Classic runner-up Fierceness.
