Article: Belmont-winning filly has fever, will miss next start
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Belmont-winning filly has fever, will miss next start
July 16, 2007
http://sports.yahoo.com/rah/news;_ylt=AqHYYrq_Z7SGJcRifd.Mzu4X47kF?slug=ap-ragstoriches-fever&prov=ap&type=lgns
NEW YORK (AP) -- Belmont Stakes winner Rags to Riches has a slight fever and won't run in Saturday's $300,000 Coaching Club American Oaks.
The 3-year-old filly sensation was expected to be the overwhelming favorite in her first race since becoming the first of her sex to win the Belmont in 102 years.
"We're going to pass on the Oaks," Rags to Riches trainer Todd Pletcher said Monday morning of the Grade 1 race for fillies. "Her temperature was 101 degrees -- not high but a little beyond normal range."
Pletcher was disappointed but optimistic his filly would be ready for her next start in the Alabama at Saratoga on Aug. 18, against other fillies. Instead of a scheduled timed workout Monday, Rags to Riches simply galloped around Belmont Park.
"We're going to take the conservative approach," Pletcher said. "She hasn't quite seemed herself the past couple days. We won't breeze her without her being 100 percent. Our plan is to run in the Alabama and look ahead to the Breeders' Cup (in October).
"If we were going to miss one race, this is the one to miss. I'm disappointed we didn't get to run her back."
Rags to Riches has a five-race winning streak, and has dominated the 3-year-old filly division with victories in the Santa Anita Oaks and the Kentucky Oaks before beating the boys in the Belmont.
