Mixed Up likely to be scratched from Smithwick

Hall of Fame trainer Jonathan Sheppard indicated that he would scratch MIXED

UP (Carnivalay) from Thursday's $80,000

A.P.

Smithwick Memorial (NSA-G2) going 2 1/16 miles at Saratoga, a prep for the

meet's top steeplechase event, the August 28 New York Turf Writers Cup (NSA-G1).

The morning-line favorite at 3-1, Mixed Up developed a leg injury after a

workout Monday on the Oklahoma training track's turf course.

"It's been sort of a nagging problem," Sheppard said of the high suspensory

ligament. "When he had that fast work (five furlongs in 1:00 2/5) the other day

it flared up again. We had it scanned and they said 'if you like this horse you

probably shouldn't run.' Well, we like him so we'll give him some time."

Sheppard said Mixed Up, a dual Grade 1 winner of more than $450,000 over

jumps and last year's Smithwick winner by a half-length, will miss the rest of

2008 but could return for his 10-year-old season in 2009.

Bred by Sheppard and owner Bill Pape, Mixed Up has won 14 races (six flat,

eight jump) and earned $563,766 in his career. In addition to his 2007 Smithwick

win at Saratoga, he also captured the 2006 New York Turf Writers Cup.

Mixed Up's defection leaves a field of nine for the Smithwick, Thursday's 1ST

race at Saratoga. SALFORD CITY (Ire) (Desert Sun [GB]), a Group 3 winner on the

flat in England and a Group 2 winner over hurdles in Ireland, will make his

American debut for trainer Gordon Elliot. The seven-year-old  last raced on July

20, finishing seventh in a Group 3 event at Tipperary.

Two females, multiple Grade 3 winner GUELPH (Sky Classic) and Grade 3-placed

CLASS SHADOW (Rock Point), are part of the Smithwick cast, as is SPY IN THE SKY

(Thunder Gulch), a neck second two back in the Marcellus Frost Hurdle (NSA-G3).

The featured flat race is the $150,000

Statue of

Liberty S. for three-year-old fillies over 1 1/16 miles on the turf. Recent

Virginia Oaks (G3) winner I LOST MY CHOO (Western Expression) will be heavily

favored to win the race, which is part of the New York Stallion Stakes series.