El Camino Real Derby (G3) winner UNCLE DENNY (In Excess [Ire]) has been taken
off the Triple Crown trail after a bone chip was discovered in his right front
ankle prior to a scheduled workout on Saturday, according to trainer Rafael
Becerra. The three-year-old was scheduled for surgery on Monday and is expected
to be sidelined at least three months.
The California-bred captured the El Camino Real Derby by 2 1/4 lengths on
March 12 at Bay Meadows after beginning the season with a close fourth-place
effort in the nine-furlong Sham S. on February 5 at Santa Anita. He was pointing toward Saturday’s $500,000 WinStar
Derby at Sunland Park.
Uncle Denny will head to the sidelines with four wins from five starts and
$244,913 in earnings.