Graydar on sideline after chip surgery

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Graydar, who has risen to prominence in the handicap division with victories in the Donn and New Orleans handicaps, will be out until late summer after having a chip taken out of an ankle, his connections confirmed on Wednesday.

Graydar had the chip removed shortly after he arrived at WinStar Farm in Versailles, Ky., following his 1 3/4-length victory in the Grade 2 New Orleans Handicap at Fair Grounds on March 30.

“We took him back to WinStar gave him a good going over and discovered it,” Randy Gullat, the farm and racing manager for Twin Creeks Racing, said. “We thought we could race on it if we really wanted to. The number-one goal is have him at his best for the Breeders’ Cup Classic.”

Graydar is recuperating at WinStar Farm and could rejoin trainer Todd Pletcher’s string, presumably at Saratoga, in six to eight weeks.

“We’ll point for the Breeders’ Cup Classic and work our way backward,” said Pletcher, who said it’s possible Graydar could have one ot “possibly two” preps.

Graydar, a son of Unbridled’s Song, has won 4 of 5 career starts but announced his presence in the handicap division with a powerful three-length victory in the Grade 1 Donn Handicap, in his stakes debut at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 9. He followed that up with his victory in the New Orleans Handicap.

“I think the horse still has a level to improve, which is the scary thing,” Gullat said. “We think he’s going to be worth the wait. He’s a legit Breeders’ Cup horse, especially with the speed-favoring course at Santa Anita. I think we need to make sure we have him ready for that day.”