Fever knocks Majesto out of Grade 1 Travers

by Phil Janack

An elevated temperature will force Grupo Seven C Racing Stable's Grade 1-placed Majesto to scratch from Saturday's 147th running of the Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers presented by NYRA Bets at Saratoga Race Course, according to the outfit's racing manager.

Carlos Luis Giardinella, a Venezuelan television and magazine journalist who also serves as Grupo Seven C's racing manager, said Majesto was coughing when trainer Gustavo Delgado got to the barn Friday morning and subsequent tests revealed the fever.

"Majesto will be a scratch for the Travers Stakes because he had a fever this morning," Giardinella said. "He had some tests this morning and they did not come back good. Yesterday, he was good. This morning he coughed and we called the doctor and he came in and checked the horse and said it was not good for the Travers."

Second in the Grade 1 Florida Derby April 2 at Gulfstream Park, Majesto finished 18th following a troubled trip in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby on May 7. Delgado said he exited the race with inflammation in his lungs and was sent to the Cornell Equine Medical Specialists in Elmont, N.Y. near Belmont Park.

Majesto returned to run sixth after a wide trip in the 1 1/8-mile Curlin July 29 at Saratoga. He had two subsequent works for the Travers, where he drew post 11 and was installed at morning-line odds of 30-1.

Paola Queen upset the Grade 1 Test at odds of 55-1 August 6 at Saratoga for Grupo Seven C and Delgado. The connections will be represented on the undercard with Grand Tito in the Grade 1, $1 million Longines Sword Dancer. 

"We are sad because the timing is not good," Giardinella said. "It's disappointing because we wanted to run in the Travers."