Favorite Tale has knee surgery to remove chip

Favorite Tale, who established himself as one of the top sprinters in the country last year by winning the Grade 2 Smile Sprint at Gulfstream Park and finishing third in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint from post 14, has had a chip removed from his right knee, according to trainer Lupe Preciado.

Favorite Tale, a 5-year-old gelding by Tale of the Cat, weakened to finish third in his seasonal debut March 21 at Parx Racing in a no-conditions allowance race.

“After his last race, he was uncomfortable in his right knee,” Preciado said.

Favorite Tale was sent to the New Bolton Center in Pennsylvania, where Dr. Dean Richardson determined that Favorite Tale had a chip that may have shifted position.

“Dr. Dean told me he could go in and remove it, and we agreed,” Preciado said. “I’m told he should come back fine. We’ll go slow with him and see how he does.”

Favorite Tale will be given three months off. He will stay in Preciado’s barn at Parx.

Favorite Tale finished 2015 strong. After winning the Smile Sprint, he was third in the Grade 1 Vanderbilt at Saratoga and then tuned up for the Breeders’ Cup with a win in a Pennsylvania-bred allowance at Parx.

For a while, it looked as if he might miss the Breeders’ Cup because of a quarantine at Parx, but he ultimately was allowed to leave the grounds and go to a private farm. He then was sent to Delaware Park for an Oct. 17 workout.

When he finally shipped to Keeneland, the van he was in broke down on the highway.

“The tow truck came and moved the van with him still inside,” Preciado said.

Following his determined third in the Breeders’ Cup, Favorite Tale concluded his season by winning the $200,000 Fabulous Strike Stakes at Penn National.

Favorite Tale has won 8 of 19 starts and $900,000.