Ankle Chip Will Sideline International Star
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Surgery to remove an ankle chip will sideline Louisiana Derby (gr. II) winner International Star through the remainder of the Triple Crown season.
Ken Ramsey, who owns International Star with his wife Sarah, said the chip in the colt's left front foot is about one-by-two millimeters.
"It's puzzling in that he'll jog on it fine. But there is some heat there and it has to come out," Ramsey said. "We think he'll be sidelined for 60 to 90 days but we hope he can come back for a fall campaign."
Trained by Mike Maker, Ramsey said they had hoped to race International Star in the Peter Pan Stakes (gr. II) May 9 at Belmont Park and then in the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) June 6 until the ankle chip was discovered.
"I'm a little depressed but we'll just have to come up with different plans," Ramsey said.
International Star, who was the points leader in the Road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), was scratched on the morning of the race because of soreness in that same foot. Ramsey said he didn't know if the two issues were related or not.
A son of Derby-winner Fusaichi Pegasus , International Star swept this year's graded stakes for 3-year-olds at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, registering victories in the Louisiana Derby, Risen Star Stakes (gr. II), and LeComte Stakes (gr. III).