Stonestreet Stables' Twilight Gleaming, the 2-1 morning-line favorite in the $150,000 Coronation Cup for 3-year-old fillies July 15 at Saratoga Race Course, was scratched by trainer Wesley Ward.
Ward said that on July 10, before Twilight Gleaming was going out for her daily gallop, the exercise rider tightened the girth too tightly and it caused some inflammation.
"She is fine and I plan to work her (July 17)," Ward said. "I just decided to take her out. It's disappointing, but I am more disappointed for Barbara (owner Banke of Stonestreet Stables) because she's here. Just wanted to do what is right for the horse."
Ward said he expects Twilight Gleaming to run later in the meet.
The daughter of National Defense won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G2T) at Del Mar. In her seven career starts, Twilight Gleaming has four wins and three seconds, most recently taking the Mamzelle Overnight Stakes at Churchill Downs.
Also scratched from the 5 1/2-furlong race on the Mellon Turf Course are Marissa's Lady (8-1), owned by Ronald Boone, Pamela Tillema, and Richard H. Tillema and Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners' Benbang (20-1).
That leaves a field of eight for the Coronation Cup.
