The $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) is down to seven starters after trainer Chad Brown said Gaudreau would be scratched due to a fever.
Gaudreau, who was 8-1 on the morning-line, finished second in the Champagne Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park on Oct. 3.
“Bad timing, very disappointed, horse was doing great, but he is sick, so I’m going to have to treat him and get him over this,” Brown told drf.com on Wednesday morning. "We’re going to regroup and see now what to do with him.”
The winner of the 1 1/16-mile Breeders' Cup Juvenile usually becomes the early favorite for the Kentucky Derby (G1) and is also a Road to the Kentucky Derby points qualifier on a sliding scale of 30-15-9-6-3 to the top five finishers.
Hughes, trainer Bob Baffert's unbeaten colt (4-for-4) is the even-money morning-line favorite.
The BC Juvenile is one of five Future Star Friday Breeders' Cup races at Keeneland.
There were quite a few other scratches announced Wednesday, including another trained by Chad Brown.
Zulu Kingdom (15-1) won't run in Saturday's $2 million Breeders' Cup Mile (G1). Brown said he wasn't happy with the way the 4-year-old colt has been jogging around the track for the past few days. The field led by 7-5 favorite Notable Speech drops to 13. Also-eligible Vina Arana will not run in the race, trainer Jack Sisterson said.
Other scratches include Scottish Lassie (15-1) from the $2 million Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1), reducing the field to eight; Go For Launch from the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) and Induction from the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1).
Silent Beauty will move into the field for the BC Juvenile Fillies Turf as an also-eligible.
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