Red Oak Stable and Madaket Stables' multiple Grade I winner Mind Control (Stay Thirsty) was found to have an elevated temperature Monday and will not be able to compete in the GI Big Ass Fans Dirt Mile for trainer Todd Pletcher. It is the third consecutive year where issues have kept him from running in the Breeders' Cup.
“He spiked a temperature and his blood count is not right,” Pletcher said. “We had no choice but to start him on some treatment and not enter. He wasn't acting himself this morning. His temperature was a little elevated and as the morning went along it continued to go up.”
Mind Control has won two of three starts since being moved to Pletcher's barn this year. He was headed to the Dirt Mile after winning the Parx Dirt Mile S. Sept. 25 and shipped from Pletcher's base at Belmont to Del Mar Sunday.
“I'm sure the flight was a bit stressful for him. That probably triggered it,” Pletcher said. “He will respond quickly to treatment and we will hopefully be able to regroup and be ready in time for the Cigar Mile. First things first, we will make sure he is well and go from there.”
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