Baoma Corp's Nysos, the 8-5 morning-line favorite in the $1 million Pacific Classic Stakes (G1) at Del Mar Aug. 30, was scratched Saturday morning with what Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert said was a hind foot issue.
"He was fine earlier," Baffert told Del Mar publicity, "but when we double-checked on him, we found some bruising."
Baffert says it's minor.
Nysos, winner of the July 26 San Diego Handicap (G2) in his last start, breezed Aug. 21 in preparation for the Pacific Classic, drilling five furlongs in :58 4/5 at Del Mar. He is 5-for-6 with his only loss being a dead-heat second in the Churchill Downs Stakes (G1) in early May when he returned from a 15-month layoff.
With the defection of Nysos, a field of seven remains for the Pacific Classic, including Preakness Stakes (G1) winner Journalism (9-5 morning line) and 2023 champion 2-year-old male Fierceness (3-1). Their odds are likely to drop due to Nysos' scratch.
