Paseana to Have Throat Surgery

A throat problem will prevent Paseana from running in Sunday’s $300,000 Spinster Stakes at Keeneland and will also keep the 7-year-old mare out of the Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Churchill Downs on Nov. 5.

Paseana will undergo surgery to relieve an entrapped epiglottis that will take her out of training for 10 days. Alysheba had a similar operation in 1987, then won the Kentucky Derby about two months later.

Trainer Ron McAnally said that it is possible Paseana will continue to race next year.

Paseana has earned $2.9 million. The retired Dance Smartly leads female horses with $3.2 million. Paseana won the Breeders’ Cup Distaff in 1992, was second to Hollywood Wildcat in the race last year and was voted the Eclipse Award for best older female both years.

This year, the Argentine-bred has two victories and a second in three starts, having won the Chula Vista Handicap at Del Mar in her last race. Paseana won the Spinster last year and finished second in the race the year before. Each year Paseana has run in the Breeders’ Cup, her owners, Sidney and Jenny Craig, have paid a $200,000 supplementary fee to make her eligible.

The Craigs probably will run Exchange in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff. She finished second to Hollywood Wildcat at Santa Anita Monday in the Lady’s Secret Handicap.