Candy Ride Not Likely to Run in Breeders’ Cup

Candy Ride, winner of the Pacific Classic at Del Mar and expected to be no worse than the second choice in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita next month, will probably miss the race.

A supplementary fee of $800,000 would be required for the undefeated Argentina-bred 4-year-old, owned by Sid and Jenny Craig, to run in the $4-million Classic on Oct. 25. The winner’s share of the purse would be an estimated $2.5 million, but the Craigs would not recoup their supplementary fee if Candy Ride finished worse than second.

“I had a meeting with the Craigs on Friday and actually didn’t make a recommendation,” trainer Ron McAnally said. “When people are putting up that much of their own money, I feel like they have to make their own decision. But for me, it’s a bad gamble.”

McAnally said the Craigs are expected to make a decision Monday.

“It’s doubtful that the horse will run,” McAnally said.

Mineshaft, winner of three Grade I races this year, including the Woodward at Belmont Park on Sept. 6, is the likely favorite in the Classic. Mineshaft is scheduled to run Saturday at Belmont in the Jockey Club Gold Cup. Other Classic contenders include Empire Maker, Congaree and Medaglia d’Oro, who was beaten by Candy Ride in the race at Del Mar.

McAnally said there is nothing physically wrong with Candy Ride, who has done little training since he won at Del Mar, in track-record time, on Aug. 24. Candy Ride has won three straight since the Craigs bought him for $900,000. He won all three of his starts in Argentina.

McAnally was caught in a tough supplementary situation with John Henry in the first Breeders’ Cup, in 1984. After owner Sam Rubin paid the first third of a $400,000 supplement to make John Henry eligible for the Turf Stakes, the horse was injured a week before the race. Rubin forfeited his payment.

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Ten Most Wanted, prepping for the Breeders’ Cup Classic, beat Soto by a half-length to win the $500,000 Super Derby at Louisiana Downs. Ten Most Wanted, ridden by Pat Day, paid $3 as the heavy favorite, running 1 1/8 miles in 1:50 3/5. The loss was the first for Soto in six starts.