Best Pal Has Sore Leg, Will Have X-Rays : Horse racing: Gelding’s owner also learns that the Suburban Handicap, Strike The Gold’s next scheduled start, might become an ACRS event.

Owner John Mabee said Monday that his 4-year-old gelding, Best Pal, the leader in the American Championship Racing Series standings, will have X-rays today on his right foreleg.

It is suspected that Best Pal has a popped splint, an injury trainer Gary Jones likened to a human having shin splints.

In another development, the New York Post reported that, because of financial problems, Rockingham Park doesn’t have the money to cover the $500,000 purse for the New England Classic July 18, the seventh race in the ACRS.

Although the official announcement isn’t expected until later in the week, ACRS officials have decided that, rather than reducing the nine-race series by one, the $500,000 Suburban Handicap on July 4 at Belmont Park will replace the New England Classic.

That shift would benefit Strike The Gold, whose trainer, Nick Zito, said after his horse’s victory in the Nassau County Handicap Saturday that the Suburban would be his next start.

A victory in the 1 1/4-mile Suburban, where the 1991 Kentucky Derby winner will probably be favored, would leave Strike The Gold with 30 points and the ACRS lead. Best Pal has 23.

A bonus of $750,000 goes to the ACRS winner.

Reportedly, the Suburban was chosen because the ACRS didn’t want a race with a purse less than $500,000 and wanted the event to be held close to Rockingham Park, which is in Salem, N.H.

“How can they do this?” Mabee said. “They should have a tough time making this stick. It’s like changing the Triple Crown races in the middle of the series.”

When asked about his possible course of action, Mabee said he would probably lodge a protest.

Best Pal’s leg problem was discovered Monday morning, a day after he worked half mile in 49 seconds. Jones noticed tenderness when the gelding jogged and there was swelling in his right front leg. A veterinarian’s examination all but confirmed the problem.

Because of the swelling, X-rays couldn’t be taken immediately. Jones said the leg was iced and a poultice was to be applied Monday night.

“There’s lots of inflammation there,” Jones said. “Barring a miracle, the (Hollywood) Gold Cup (June 27) is out. I’d say there’s no chance.

“We won’t know (how long Best Paul might be out) until (the swelling subsides) and we get the X-rays. But I don’t feel real positive right now.”

Idle since running fourth in the Pimlico Special May 9, his only defeat in five races this year, Best Pal was originally scheduled to skip the $1-million Gold Cup, the sixth ACRS race. But recently, Jones and Mabee had said he might run if the weights were satisfactory.

Best Pal also is the Breeders’ Cup point leader among male horses with 36. Points are earned by horses finishing first, second or third in North American graded stakes between Jan. 1 and Oct. 19.

A.P. Indy is second with 32, followed by Sea Cadet (27), Fly Till Dawn (26), Pine Bluff (24) and Another Review and Strike The Gold, each with 22.

Times staff writer Bill Christine contributed to this story.