SUMMERFIELD, Fla., Feb. 6 (UPI) -- Vindication, the champion 2-year-old and a leading contender for the Kentucky Derby, will miss the season's three Triple Crown races due to an injury to his left front leg.
The son of Seattle Slew had been battling a slight foot bruise and was diagnosed with a strained ligament. Padua Stables, the owners of the horse, issued a statement Thursday saying the extent of the injury was unclear and will not be known until more tests are conducted over the next two months.
"Unfortunately, this derails his training for the Derby," said Padua General Manager Nadia Sanan. "This is obviously a devastating blow to my family and Padua Stables, but we remain hopeful that we will soon know what the problem is, and he will be able to resume training as soon as possible."
Trained by Bob Baffert, Vindication won all four of his starts last season, including a dominating performance in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile that stamped him as the early Kentucky Derby favorite.
No Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner has gone on to win the Kentucky Derby.
The colt had been training at Santa Anita Park in California in preparation for what had been expected to be his 3-year-old debut next month. He will miss the Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes, but possibly return over the summer.
Vindication was purchased by Satish and Anne Sanan's Padua Stables for $2.15 million.
Baffert still has other horses in the Kentucky Derby picture. Kafwain, runner-up in the Juvenile, and Domestic Dispute already have won Derby preps this winter.
