Old Trieste Slowed by Foot Abscess

The fever that knocked Old Trieste out of the $1-million Sempra Energy Hollywood Gold Cup on Sunday at Hollywood Park was caused by an abscess in his left front foot, trainer Mike Puype said.

The problem, which surfaced Tuesday, is a recurrence of one that kept Old Trieste from running this winter at Santa Anita. He didn’t return to the races until May 29, when he won the Californian by seven lengths.

“He was facing backward [in his stall], and I knew something was wrong,” Puype said of the 4-year-old son of A.P. Indy. “My heart sank to my knees. . . .

“There’s no question [the abscess] is why he was in distress. The only remedy is to have the foot trimmed and soak it, soak it, soak it. When he gets better, you dry it out, put the shoes back on and start training him again.”

Calling it just a temporary setback, owner Gary Biszantz said Old Trieste, who has won his last four races by a combined 28 1/2 lengths, might run in the $1-million Pacific Classic on Aug. 29 at Del Mar and possibly have a prep before that.

“This shows again why this is such a heartbreaking sport in so many ways,” he said. “I’m very disappointed for Hollywood Park. I know everyone was looking forward to seeing him run.”

The absence of the race favorite means only four are expected to be entered this morning--Malek, Puerto Madero, Real Quiet and Budroyale.

Real Quiet, making his first start at Hollywood Park since he won the Hollywood Futurity in 1997, worked five furlongs in 58 1/5 Tuesday morning at Santa Anita.

Puerto Madero, a disappointment in his last two starts in the Santa Anita Handicap and Californian, will wear blinkers for the first time in the Gold Cup, according to trainer Richard Mandella.

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Jockey Chris McCarron lost one mount this weekend with the declaration of Old Trieste, but gained another.

With Gary Stevens remaining in Europe this weekend to ride Beat All in the Irish Derby, McCarron has picked up the mount on Manistique in the $400,000 Vanity Handicap on Saturday.

Unbeaten in seven races in California--and 0 for 2 elsewhere--Manistique will be making her first start since finishing fourth in the Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn Park in April.

Entries for the Vanity, run at 1 1/8 miles, will be taken today, and the others expected to start are Milady winner Gourmet Girl, Victory Stripes, Yolo Lady, Bella Chiarra and Zante.

Horse Racing Notes

Hollywood Park returns to Friday night racing for the final four weeks of the meet. Post time Friday is 7 p.m. . . . Post time on Gold Cup Day will be noon, an hour earlier than normal.