Discreet Cat has been scratched tonight.
 

:(
Discreet Cat has been scratched from the 6th at Nad Al Sheba. A slight temp this AM, and was withdrawn this morning in Dubai. Details at www.godolphin.com, and www.emiratesracing.com . Still a great night of racing! Only 30 days until the Dubai World Cup!

That's a shame...

The website says they're going to train him up to the World Cup? I'll believe that when I see it. If anything, this is just a convenient excuse to miss the race altogether.

Now they will have an excuse when Invasor torches DC later this month. Pretty lame part on DC's connections.

Perhaps, but if the horse really does have a fever isn't at least POSSIBLE that scratching him is the right thing to do?
I seem to remember a LOT of people saying that Invasor missed the JCGC simply because he was ducking Bernardini, and there was a lot of discussion on here about how Invasor's connections should be ashamed of themselves blah, blah, blah. Look how that turned out!
I really do not see any reason why they would make up this excuse and WANT to miss this race. What good does that do them?
I have to believe that they think their horse has a legitimate shot to win the DWC (and why shouldn't they?) and if they really felt that running him today would help his chances, they probably would. The truth is that this horse has demonstrated that he can run strong off of ridiculously long layoffs, so what exactly would be the point of running him today if he is not 100%?

maybe he does have a fever, or maybe they don't like the post and field size....and of course he's undefeated--so better to lose in the dwc then today, and of course a ready-made excuse.

But, remember...it was DC that torched Invasor last year over this track! ;)

Discreet Cat has been scratched tonight
 

Before this all gets crazy with theroies and BS there is something we all need to remember what good horseman around the world, and the Maktoums have demonstrated :
THE HORSE COMES FIRST. WITHOUT THEM WE HAVE NOTHING.

Just as a fan, it does stink. Was looking forward to seeing him run today.

This would be my guess. A few days before the WC they will say that it will not be good to run the horse in the WC because of this set back, so the best thing to do for all concerned will be to retire him. I have had a hunch for a long time that we would never see this horse compete at ten furlongs.

Maybe they will prove me all wrong, but I don't think so.

Train him up to the world cup race? Come on now.

They've given this horse the extreme kid gloves treatment throughout his career---so I wouldn't say it's a 100% lock he's in the gate in the World Cup.

I'm affraid there is now a chance they might bring him back in the Godolphin Mile, a $2 million race which he'll win in walkover style.

It's not the most logical thing to run a horse who's never raced around two-turns, 10 furlongs for the first time, off a layoff, against top horses.

Still, this horse doesn't need a prep to win that race. I still think he'll probably be entered in the World Cup, and if he is, he will humiliate whoever he faces and win with supreme ease.

Discreet Cat----The best looking horse in the stable.......and thats about it.

being scratched isnt news to me

I am sorry the horse is not 100%, but the prep will not guarantee success March 31. I think Premium Tap will win that one.

I really don't expect him in the gate in the World Cup and honestly he shouldn't be there. Secretariat would have had a tough time running two turns and 10 furlongs for the first time off a four month layoff. They now have their excuse to run him in the Mile instead.

Not to throw around conspiracy theories or suggest that perhaps the Maktoums are capable of such terrible sportsmanship....but....

The family owns both horses....and really, they only stand to gain by keeping them apart and running them at their precieved best distances.

I'm sure they've envisioned a stallion ad that reads something like:

* Invasor. Triple Crown winner in his native land. Undefeated in America and two time American horse of the year. Only horse to win two Breeders Cup Classics and a Dubai World Cup.

* Discreet Cat. Royally bred, Brilliant, and Undefeated winner who toyed with his foes on Breeders Cup day. Ran a crop best 106 Beyer in his only start at age 2, won the Grade 1 Cigar Mile in 1:32 2/5ths at age 3, and so on

Not that I have any proof that's what is going on...and I really hope it isn't. Hopefully, Discreet Cat really did have a slight fever, and the way the Godolphin horses have been performing of late, I guess it's possible something could be going around the barn

I think you pretty much summed it up perfectly...


maktoum family? sportsmen?...hmph, whatever:mad:

Was i asleep when he won his second BC Classic?????

if d.c. makes it to the cup he gallops.........wins for fun, 5 to 10 lengths;)

Either you need better reading comprehension skills or my writing is confusing. Perhaps the latter.

I was tossing around a scenerio....where the Maktoum family is envisioning what might be, if they keep these two horses apart all year long, and race them at their precieved best distance.

It's a business! Doesnt anyone understand that?

People get their hearts way too involved in this industry when its really a business.

I love the animals, but if I get fortunate enough one day to own a good one and someone offers me the right amount of money. Adios horsey. If I get a chance to own a good stallion prospect, I'd run him in the right spots to get the most value as a stallion.

I dont blame the Maktoums for being good business men.