Aktabantay Out of Juvenile Turf

V. I. Araci’s Aktabantay (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) was declared out of today’s GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf with a sore foot, trainer Hugo Palmer announced Thursday. 

“He worked and moved really well [Thursday] morning and I was growing in confidence about his chances in Friday’s race,” the young conditioner explained. “Unfortunately, that confidence did not last long as he was found to have a sore foot when he returned back to the barn and I had to make the decision to scratch him. He will be absolutely fine and we are now looking forward to the spring and we will be aiming him at the 2000 Guineas,” Palmer added. A maiden winner at third asking, Aktabantay was runner-up in the G2 Superlative S. at Newmarket July 12 before registering a nose success in the G3 Solario S. at Sandown Aug. 30. In his most recent appearance, the dark bay colt was sixth, beaten 2 1/2 lengths, in the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at Longchamp Oct. 5. Aktabantay’s defection allows the Brian Meehan-trained Faithful Creek (Ire) (Bushranger {Ire}) into the starting gate this afternoon. The 20-1 chance, to be ridden by Kieren Fallon, is exiting a third to TDN Rising Star John F Kennedy (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G3 Juvenile Turf S. at Leopardstown Sept. 13.