Unfortunately, Epicharis and his connections came 6,700 miles from Japan for nothing.
The colt was scratched from Saturday's Belmont Stakes shortly after 9 Saturday morning.
Dr. Anthony Verderosa, the New York Racing Association's chief examining veterinarian, determined he should not run because his sore right foot had not healed sufficiently.
Trainer Kiyoshi Hagiwara said he realized the colt was lame Wednesday afternoon. Despite the use of mild analgesics on Wednesday and Thursday and soaking the foot in a bucket of ice, the injury did not respond to treatment.
The defection shrinks the field for the 149th Belmont to 11. Post time is approximately 6:37 p.m.
