Phileas Fogg (Astern {Aus}), a contender for the Oct. 31 GI Breeders' Cup Classic at Keeneland, will miss the race, trainer Gustavo Rodriguez told DRF Thursday.

“We're not going to make it,” Rodriguez told DRF. “The horse looks okay, but he's not 100%. I got together with my owner and my doctor and we decided to pass.”

The two-time GII Suburban winner has been contending with a foot issue following a five-furlong work at Belmont on Oct. 11. Rodriguez told DRF he equipped Phileas Fogg with glue-on shoes last week and the horse appeared to be going well.

The 6-year-old finished fourth behind Forever Young (Jpn) in the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup on Sept. 18.

“Sometimes, when they get foot problems, they can get good quick, sometimes it takes a month,” Rodriguez said. “I said to my doctor and my owner we can make, it but the horse is not going to be 100%, because I know him. We can make it, but he's not going to run good and in the meantime we could ruin him.”

According to Rodriguez, Phileas Fogg will get two months before returning for a 2027 campaign.

This story was posted in Top News and tagged Breeders' Cup Classic, Gustavo Rodriguez, injury, Keeneland, Phileas Fogg.