Perfect Drift likely done for the year

Grade 1 winner PERFECT DRIFT (Dynaformer) exited his eighth-place finish in

Saturday's Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) with an infection and is likely done for

the year, trainer Murray Johnson reports. The conditioner blamed the

seven-year-old gelding's performance on a breathing problem.

"He couldn't get his air, basically," Johnson said. "It's caused from a

virus. They breathe all right for a while and it doesn't affect the functions of

the throat, but when they become tired they just can't get their air."

Perfect Drift had run in the Clark H. (G2) the last two years following the

Breeders' Cup Classic, but Johnson expects him to miss this year's edition,

which has been upgraded to Grade 1 status and will be held on November 24 at

Churchill Downs.

"We've had a great year and it was a lot of fun," Johnson said. "I think

we'll just make sure his throat's all right. Hopefully, he'll be back next year.

I don't see any reason why we won't be back next year to try it again."

Perfect Drift went winless from seven starts this season, but he recorded

runner-up finishes in the Stephen Foster H. (G1), Kentucky Cup Classic (G2) and

Washington Park H. (G2). The veteran gelding has earned $4.6 million from 42

starts, winning eight stakes and contesting the last five runnings of the

Breeders' Cup Classic. His best finishes were a third to Saint Liam in 2005 and

a fourth behind Ghostzapper in 2004.

Johnson has brought the gelding back on the turf the last three years,

starting during Keeneland's April meet, but he's anxious to use the Polytrack in

2007.

"It's going to be a bit of fun coming back to Keeneland and not have to run

on the turf, maybe, but just run on the Polytrack," he said.