Laurel-based Include may have encountered breathing problems in the Iselin Handicap on Sunday at Monmouth Park in New Jersey, trainer Bud Delp said yesterday.

Delp said Include, who finished sixth as the heavy favorite, may have displaced his soft palate during the race, cutting off his air and compromising his chances.

The trainer said he would monitor the situation before deciding how to treat the problem or scheduling Include's next race.

"Something obviously happened; he didn't run his race," Delp said. "But he's 100 percent sound. He's going to jog [today]."

Include veered suddenly approaching the starting gate before the race and dumped his jockey, Jerry Bailey.

Delp said he had no idea what prompted the sudden movement, but that Include "has done shenanigans like that before."