CBS SportsLine wire reports
June 24, 1998

INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- Silver Charm had a 102-degree fever Wednesday, forcing him to miss this weekend's Hollywood Gold Cup against Skip Away and Gentlemen.

Trainer Bob Baffert said an initial temperature reading appeared normal. However, when workers tried to feed last year's

Silver Charm's lack of appetite tipped off trainer Bob Baffert to the fact the thoroughbred might be sick. (Allsport)

Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner in his Santa Anita stall, he showed little interest in eating. A second check showed his temperature increased.

"We put him in the stall and he usually dives right into the bucket," Baffert said. "The groom said he didn't even go for the grain. He went to the corner and put his head down. We have to treat him now and we can't take any chances."

Silver Charm worked out Tuesday at Santa Anita, going five furlongs in 1:11 3-5.

"We're on course for the Gold Cup," Baffert said. "I wouldn't run him unless he was doing good."

Silver Charm returned home from Kentucky Sunday, and Baffert said he may have acquired a bug during shipping.

"MAYBE HIS IMMUNE system was affected," he said. "He looks good, though. He's not dying or anything."

Owner Bob Lewis decided late Friday to run Silver Charm, leading to speculation he wanted the horse in the race and Baffert did not.

"Bob Lewis lets me call the shots," Baffert said. "I wasn't thinking matchup, I was thinking about putting a race into my horse. I'm not worried about getting him beat."

The absence of Silver Charm leaves the spotlight to Skip Away and Gentlemen for Sunday's race.

Skip

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Away enters the 1 1/4-mile Gold Cup off six straight victories. His latest was May 30 in the Massachusetts Handicap, where the 5-year-old set the track record at Suffolk Downs, going 1[ miles in 1:47 1-8 while carrying 130 pounds.

SKIP AWAY WILL BE FLOWN from New York to Los Angeles on Thursday. Already on site is Gentlemen, owned by Hollywood Park chairman R.D. Hubbard.

Gentlemen is coming off a three-month layoff. The 6-year-old hasn't raced since finishing last as the favorite in the Santa Anita Handicap on March 7.

The Gold Cup draw is Thursday. The rest of the field probably will include Puerto Madero, Budroyale, Bagshot and Don't Blame Rio. Mud Route is also a possibility.