Winchester doubtful for Turf

by Brisnet.com

Trainer Christophe Clement said Saturday morning that multiple Grade 1 hero

Winchester was unlikely to run in the Breeders' Cup Turf.

The trainer said he was not happy with the results of an endoscopic

examination performed after the six-year-old son of Theatrical worked four

furlongs Saturday in :50 3/5 in company with Grassy (:51), who is headed to the

Grade 2 Red Smith Stakes Saturday at Aqueduct.

"Winchester had a dirty scope after the breeze," Clement explained. "I do not

like the fact the horse did not have a good, clean scope after the breeze and I

do not like to put pressure on the horse. So most probably we will regroup.

(Owner) Mr. (Bertram) Firestone is leaning against running, and passing on the

race, because he is not comfortable running the horse after a dirty scope."

The trainer reported that Gio Ponti, headed to the Breeders' Cup Mile, came

out of Wednesday's breeze in good order and galloped 1 1/4 miles on the Belmont

Park training track Saturday morning. He is scheduled to fly to Kentucky on

Tuesday.