Colic knocks Joey P. out of Dash

Defending champion Joey P. will miss Saturday night's Charles Town Invitational Dash after undergoing colic surgery Thursday evening, according to a release from the racetrack.

The scratch of the 7-year-old Joey P., the second choice on the track's morning line at 3-1, leaves Florida shipper Ikigai, winner of the Grade 3 Mr. Prospector at Gulfstream Park in January, as the clear-cut favorite for the 4 1/2-furlong Dash. Sea Dubai, the first horse on the also-eligible list, now draws into the main body of the field.

The $250,000 Dash is the co-feature on a four-stakes card that includes an appearance by multiple graded stakes winner Big Drama in the $250,000 Red Legend for 3-year-olds.

The Dash goes as race 9 at 9:30 p.m. Eastern and is the third leg on an all-stakes pick four.