Grande has ankle chip removed

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Grande, the runner-up in the Wood Memorial who was scratched out of the Kentucky Derby due to a foot issue, underwent surgery to remove an ankle chip and will be out until fall, trainer Todd Pletcher confirmed Thursday.

Grande was in training after he was scratched from the Derby, but then developed a temperature and missed some training time, Pletcher said.

“Once we got off track and got a temperature and missed some time we started back and he came up with a little flake in an ankle so we decided to regroup altogether,” said Pletcher, who trains Grande for Mike Repole.

Pletcher said Grande is in Ocala, Fla., but could return to the races in the fall, Pletcher said.

Meanwhile, Pletcher’s pair of 3-year-olds Uncaged and Crudo, seventh and eighth, respectively, in the Belmont Stakes, returned to the work tab Wednesday, going a half-mile in 50.31 seconds. Pletcher said both are under consideration for the Curlin Stakes on July 24.

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Candied, winner of the Allaire duPont Stakes at Pimlico, worked a half-mile in 49.20 seconds Thursday over Saratoga’s main track. Pletcher said she is being pointed to the Grade 3, $500,000 Molly Pitcher Stakes at Monmouth Park on July 19.

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