Ive Struck a Nerve set for surgery Monday in Kentucky

Ive Struck a Nerve, the 135-1 winner of the Risen Star Stakes last month at Fair Grounds, was scheduled to undergo surgery Monday at the Rood and Riddle equine hospital in Lexington, Ky., after suffering a fractured sesamoid in his left front ankle during a Saturday morning workout at the New Orleans track. The colt is expected to be sidelined for perhaps six months and will miss the Triple Crown series.

Trainer Keith Desormeaux said the colt departed Fair Grounds by van early Sunday and was to be operated on by Dr. Larry Bramlage, the noted equine surgeon.

“Obviously, the whole ordeal is very disappointing,” said Desormeaux, who never had been close to having a Derby runner. “It doesn’t look like it’s career-threatening, and he’s not in peril. It’s the kind of injury that happens quite a bit in this game. The good news is we know we still have a nice horse.”

Ive Struck a Nerve, by Yankee Gentleman, is owned by the Big Chief Racing LLC of Matt Bryant, who last week sold a 10 percent interest in the bay colt to Boston businessman Paul Braverman. At the time of his injury, the colt led the new Kentucky Derby points system with 51 points and was virtually assured a spot in the Derby.