The abscesses, the doctors found, varied greatly in size, but as they grew their diseased walls became thinner and weaker. In 39 of the 40 cases studied, the abscess eventually burst.

A foot abscess forces Dwyer Stakes (G3) winner Charge It to miss the Aug. 27 Travers Stakes (G1). The Whisper Hill Farm runner will point toward the Sept. 24 Pennsylvania Derby (G1) at Parx Racing.