Shaman Ghost spikes fever, scratched from Breeders' Cup Classic

Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) contender Shaman Ghost was withdrawn Saturday morning after developing a fever.

“He spiked a little temperature last night and left some of his feed. So, we scratched him,” assistant trainer Kent Sweezey reported.

Trained by Jimmy Jerkens, Shaman Ghost was coming off a 9-1 upset of Frosted in the September 3 Woodward (G1) at Saratoga. The son of 2004 Classic winner Ghostzapper was listed at 20-1 on the morning line here.

The Jerkens barn is still represented in the Classic by Effinex, last year's runner-up behind American Pharoah at Keeneland. Second to Hoppertunity in the October 8 Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1), Effinex is a 15-1 chance.

The Classic, which is scheduled to go off at 8:35 p.m. ET, is headlined by the streaking California Chrome.