ARCADIA, Calif. -- Early Pioneer, who won the $1 million Hollywood Gold Cup in June, is out of contention for the Breeders' Cup Classic after emerging with a minor injury following a third-place finish in the Kentucky Cup Classic on Sept. 16, trainer Vladimir Cerin said Sunday.

"He's got a slight injury, nothing major," Cerin said. "He just strained himself.

"Ninety days off will cure it. We'll give him a rest and get him ready for the Santa Anita winter meeting."

Early Pioneer had been under consideration for the $500,000 Goodwood Breeders' Cup Handicap at Santa Anita on Oct. 15, California's major prep for the Breeders' Cup Classic.

Without him, the probable field includes Big Ten, Euchre, El Corredor or Captain Steve from trainer Bob Baffert, and Sir Bear, who won the Cornhusker Handicap at Prairie Meadows in July.