Ankle issue sidelines High Oak for rest of season

ELMONT, N.Y. – High Oak, the Grade 2 Saratoga Special winner who finished fourth in the Grade 1 Hopeful at Saratoga on Sept. 6, will miss the remainder of the year with an ankle issue, part-owner Lee Einsidler said.

Einsidler, who owns High Oak with retired radio personality Mike Francesa, said High Oak came out of the Hopeful with a minor issue in his left hind ankle. Einsidler said High Oak could probably train through it and run in the Grade 1 Champagne at Belmont on Oct. 2, but “we’ve decided to be extra cautious and give him six weeks of walking and look to get him back to the races and onto the [Kentucky] Derby trail next year.”

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High Oak, a son of Gormley trained by Bill Mott, won his debut by a neck on June 26 at Belmont Park. He then romped by 4 1/4 lengths in the Saratoga Special before finishing 9 1/4 lengths behind winner Gunite in the Hopeful.

Gunite, who earned an 83 Beyer Speed Figure for his Hopeful victory, is expected to run back in the Champagne.