Late Scratch of Black Cash Cuts Juvenile Field to Eight

The $1-million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, already assured of having the smallest field in its 14 runnings, was reduced to eight starters right before entry time with the scratch of Canadian contender Black Cash.

Black Cash, who won the Grey Stakes at Woodbine last month, had a muscle spasm in his right hind leg that scuttled a scheduled workout.

Kent Desormeaux lost his second Breeders’ Cup mount. He was scheduled to ride Black Cash and Formal Gold, who will not run in the Classic after being injured last week.

The previous low for a Juvenile was 10 starters. In addition to injuries, another thing that has kept the field down is that the 1 1/16-mile race is loaded. Besides the undefeated Favorite Trick, who’s going for his eighth consecutive victory, other contenders are Grand Slam, winner of the Champagne and the Belmont Futurity, and Souvenir Copy, first in the Del Mar Futurity and the Norfolk Stakes.

Favorite Trick is the 7-5 favorite in the Juvenile, followed by Grand Slam at 5-2 and Souvenir Copy at 3-1.

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Other morning-line favorites in Saturday’s races are Singspiel at 6-5 in the Turf; Spinning World, 5-2 in the Mile; the entry of Sharp Cat and Jewel Princess, 8-5 in the Distaff; Countess Diana, 9-5 in the Juvenile Fillies; and Richter Scale, 3-1 in the Sprint.

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There were 77 horses entered in the seven races, lowest total since 1988.