ARCADIA, Calif. (AP) - Stevie Wonderboy has a small fracture in his right front leg that will keep the Breeders' Cup Juvenile champion and Eclipse winner out of the Kentucky Derby.
Trainer Doug O'Neill said the colt came out of a workout Monday with the injury.
"Stevie Wonderboy worked great today, then came out of it with a little filling in his ankle," O'Neill said. "We X-rayed it and he's got a hairline fracture of his right front ankle. They're supposed to do surgery in a couple of days.
"He will be out at Merv Griffin's farm in La Quinta (Calif.) for 90 days before coming back into training."
Owned by hotel and television magnate Griffin, Stevie Wonderboy finished second behind Brother Derek in his 3-year-old debut in the Jan. 14 San Rafael Stakes at Santa Anita.
Stevie Wonderboy was considered one of the early favorites for the Derby on May 6 at Churchill Downs. No 2-year-old champion has gone on to win the race for 3-year-olds since Spectacular Bid in 1979.
"We're all disappointed, and Merv was upset, but the important thing is that he'll be back," O'Neill told the Bloodhorse.com website
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